Revised recapture camera and method

ABSTRACT

In a camera and method, a scene is captured as an archival image, with the camera set in an initial capture configuration. Then, a plurality of parameters of the scene are evaluated. The parameters are matched to one or more of a plurality of suggested capture configurations to define a suggestion set. User input designating one of the suggested capture configurations of the suggestion set is accepted and the camera is set to the corresponding capture configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplications Ser. No. ______ [Docket No. 81 634/RLW], entitled: REVISIONSUGGESTION CAMERA AND METHOD, filed ______, in the name of Stephen G.Malloy Desormeaux; Ser. No. ______ [Docket No. 82105/RLW], entitled:CAMERA HAVING OVERSIZE IMAGER AND METHOD, filed ______, in the name ofStephen G. Malloy Desormeaux; Ser. No. ______ [Docket No. 82449/RLW],entitled: WARNING MESSAGE CAMERA AND METHOD, filed ______, in the nameof Kenneth A. Parulski; Serial No. [Docket No. 83082/RLW], entitled:IMAGE REVISING CAMERA AND METHOD, filed ______, in the names of KennethA. Parulski, James W. Cannon, and Stephen G. Malloy Desormeaux.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to photography and photographic equipmentand more particularly relates to a revised recapture camera and relatedmethod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Casual photographers often compose scenes in a manner that isappealing to them when seen through a camera viewfinder, but is laterfound to be unappealing when seen in a resulting photographic print orother final image. Instruction on how to take better photographs isreadily available in books, in classes, and the like; but such modes ofinstruction are burdensome to access during picture taking and are notmuch used by casual photographers. This is unfortunate, since the resultis that many people repeat the same mistakes over and over, and alsomiss out on the fun of learning how to take better photographs.

[0004] Cameras are known that provide an indicator or lock up theshutter release when a forthcoming shot would be too dark or too close.Verifying cameras provide a verification image to users immediatelyafter capture of a scene on photographic film or other archival media.The verification image is provided on a digital display and portrays theimage captured on the archival media. This allows the user to review theverification image and decide if the shot was unsuccessful and should berepeated. Major capture failures, such as a something blocking the lenssystem, are readily apparent. Other characteristics of the capturedimage, such as composition, are also shown; but, in view of the smallsize of the digital display may not be immediately apparent to the user.

[0005] Japanese published patent application No. 07-319034 discloses ahybrid camera in which the photographer can change exposure settings tomodify a verification image. The photographer then knows whether torepeat the shot with the changed settings.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,628 discloses a camera that can changemetadata indicating a default number of prints, in response to adetermined condition.

[0007] Hybrid cameras are known that use an electronic image captureunit having a larger angle of view than a corresponding film imagecapture unit. U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,983 discloses a camera that uses thelarger area of the electronic capture unit to correct for parallax atsome focusing distances. A display on the camera shows a digital imagethat corresponds to the angle of view of the film image capture unit.

[0008] Software is widely available that allows for the easymanipulation of digital images. Digital cameras can be used to captureimages which are then modified using such software after downloading toa computer. This is a powerful approach, but lacks immediacy, since theimages are not manipulated on the camera.

[0009] Digital cameras necessarily make some modifications of capturedimages. Some cameras also allow the user to selectively modify someimages. For example, the use of digital zoom is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,172,234. A problem with these approaches is complexity or lack ofimmediacy or both. A novice is likely to be confused if he or sheattempts to modify images during a picture taking session. Modifyingimages on a camera after a picture taking session is less confusing, butremains complex unless user choices are strictly limited.

[0010] One reason for modifying captured images is correction ofmistakes by the user and improvement of photographic technique. Thewidely available educational materials for this purpose are of littlehelp to a user during a picture taking session.

[0011] It would thus be desirable to provide an improved camera andmethod in which the camera displays one or more different suggestions onhow to improve on a just captured archival image in a later recaptureand the camera sets up in configuration for that improved recapture whenone of the suggestions is selected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invention is defined by the claims. The invention, in itsbroader aspects, provides a camera and method in which a scene iscaptured as an archival image, with the camera set in an initial captureconfiguration. Then, a plurality of parameters of the scene areevaluated. The parameters are matched to one or more of a plurality ofsuggested capture configurations to define a suggestion set. User inputdesignating one of the suggested capture configurations of thesuggestion set is accepted and the camera is set to the correspondingcapture configuration.

[0013] It is an advantageous effect of the invention that an improvedcamera and method are provided in which the camera displays one or moredifferent suggestions on how to improve on a just captured archivalimage in a later recapture and the camera sets up in configuration forthat improved recapture when one of the suggestions is selected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The above-mentioned and other features and objects of thisinvention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent andthe invention itself will be better understood by reference to thefollowing description of an embodiment of the invention taken inconjunction with the accompanying figures wherein:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a rear view of an embodiment of the camera. The relativelocations of film in the exposure frame, the archival image captureunit, and the electronic imager of the electronic image capture unit areindicated by dashed lines.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a diagram of the grid of regions formed by the sensorsof the rangefinder of the camera of FIG. 1 mapped on the same scene asshown by the viewfinder in FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical perspective view illustrating for aparticular capture event using the camera of FIG. 1: the scene, thearchival angle of view, and the assessment angle of view.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the camera of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a partial schematic diagram of a modification of thecamera of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of another modification of thecamera of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of still another modification ofthe camera of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the camera of FIG. 7.

[0023]FIG. 9 is a diagrammatical view of an original electronic imagecaptured by the camera of FIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 10 is a diagrammatical view of a verification image derivedfrom the original electronic image of FIG. 9 (with the camera held in ahorizontal position). The cross-hatching indicates the size and relativeposition of the original electronic image.

[0025]FIG. 11 is a revision suggestion image for a suggested rotation of90 degrees, derived from the original electronic image of FIG. 9.

[0026]FIG. 12 is a diagrammatical view of an original electronic imageof a modified camera, which permits revision suggestions includingrecentering and zooming out.

[0027]FIG. 13 is a diagrammatical view of a verification image derivedfrom the original electronic image of FIG. 12. The cross-hatchingindicates the relative size and relative position of the originalelectronic image.

[0028]FIG. 14a is a diagrammatical view of a verification image showinga person's head centered horizontally and vertically.

[0029]FIG. 14b is a diagrammatical view of a revision suggestion imageprovided by a camera having the features illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 12,following capture of an original electronic image including theverification image of FIG. 14a. In FIG. 14b, the person's head is at thetwo-thirds point of the vertical dimension of the image.

[0030]FIG. 14c is a diagrammatical view that shows the originaldimensions of the verification image of FIG. 14a in solid lines and thechange proposed by the revision suggestion of reaiming of FIG. 14b indashed lines.

[0031]FIGS. 15a-15 c are the same views as FIGS. 14a-14 c, but with thecamera held vertically rather than horizontally.

[0032]FIG. 16a is the same view as FIG. 14a.

[0033]FIG. 16b is a diagrammatical view of another revision suggestionimage provided by a camera having the features illustrated in FIGS. 1and 12.

[0034]FIG. 16c is a diagrammatical view that shows the originaldimensions of the verification image of FIG. 16a in solid lines and thechange proposed by the revision suggestion of rotating 90 degrees ofFIG. 16b in dashed lines.

[0035]FIGS. 17a-17 c are the same views as FIGS. 16a-16 c, but theperson's head in the derived scene image of FIG. 17a is at one-third ofthe way down from the top of the image.

[0036]FIG. 18 is a diagrammatical view of the angle of view of an imagercapable of capturing an original electronic image that can be used forthe revision suggestions of FIGS. 14-17 and 19-20. The dashed lineindicates the relative position of the verification image.

[0037]FIGS. 19a-19 c are the same views as FIGS. 16a-16 c, but theperson is more distant from the camera and the revision suggestion isfor zooming in or moving closer.

[0038]FIGS. 20a-20 c are the same views as FIGS. 16a-16 c, but theperson is more distant a from the camera and the person's head is atabout the center of the derived scene image. The revision suggestion isfor both zooming in and reaiming to move the person's head to theone-third point.

[0039]FIG. 21 is a diagrammatical view of a verification image providedby a camera having the features illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 12 and threedepiction of revision suggestions for other ways of photographing thesubject, including reaiming the camera to relocate the subject attwo-thirds of the distance from the bottom edge of the picture,reorienting the camera in a horizontal position, and zooming in/movingcloser to the subject. Cross-hatching indicates the relative size andposition of the original electronic image relative to the other images.

[0040]FIG. 22 is a diagrammatical view of an original electronic imageproduced by the same embodiment of the camera as in FIG. 12.

[0041]FIG. 23 is a diagrammatical view of a depiction of a revisionsuggestion responsive to the electronic image of FIG. 22. The revisionsuggestion is to reaim the camera so as to center the subject.

[0042]FIG. 24 is a diagrammatical view of exposure setting during thepreparation of a revision suggestion image that includes reaiming.

[0043]FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of an electronic camera that is amodification of the camera of FIG. 1.

[0044]FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a verification image and fourdifferent depictions of the same revision suggestion.

[0045]FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic view of a detected grid of rangefinderregions and a suggestion set of three revision suggestions matched tothat grid in the revision suggestion look-up table. The revisionsuggestions are, in vertical order: moving down, changing to panoramicaspect ratio, and recentering down and to the right.

[0046]FIG. 28 is the same view as FIG. 27, but with a different detectedgrid and set of revision suggestions. In this case, the revisionsuggestions are, in vertical order: rotate 90 degrees and recenter, andchange to C-aspect ratio.

[0047]FIG. 29 is the same view as FIG. 27, but with a different detectedgrid and set of revision suggestions. In this case, the revisionsuggestions are, in vertical order: zoom in/move closer, rotate 90degrees, and change to C-aspect ratio and move down.

[0048]FIG. 30 is the same view as FIG. 27, but with a different detectedgrid and suggestion set. In this case, the set has a single revisionsuggestion: change to panoramic aspect ratio.

[0049]FIGS. 31a-31 c are a flow chart of camera operation using anembodiment the revision suggestion photography method.

[0050]FIG. 32 is a rear perspective view of a modification of the camera10, which provides output quality warnings.

[0051]FIG. 33 is a diagrammatical view of an image display showing averification image and the adjoining information display. In FIG. 33,the scene was properly captured, with no motion or exposure problems.

[0052]FIG. 34 is the same view as FIG. 33 for a different capture event,in which the user moved the camera as the picture was taken.

[0053]FIG. 35 is the same view as FIG. 33 for a different capture event,in which the sun is in the background of the image.

[0054]FIG. 36 corresponds to the view and capture event of FIG. 35, butusing a modification of the camera.

[0055]FIG. 37 corresponds to the view and capture event of FIGS. 35 and36, but using another modification of the camera.

[0056]FIG. 38 a diagram illustrating a verification image and fourdifferent depictions of the same output quality warning.

[0057]FIG. 39 is a diagrammatical view of a single capture event of theoutput quality warning photography method. Shutter opening is graphedversus time for the film and electronic shutters. (The graphs arealigned and at the same scale.) The archival image and four originalelectronic images captured during the graphed time periods are indicatedbelow the graphs.

[0058]FIG. 40 is a graph of comparison of the difference in the firstand fourth original electronic images of FIG. 39 to the respectivewarning threshold.

[0059]FIGS. 41 and 42 are graphs of the comparison of the second andthird original electronic images of FIG. 39, respectively, to therespective excessive highlight warning threshold and excessive shadowswarning threshold.

[0060]FIG. 43 is a diagrammatic view of the output quality warningphotography method.

[0061]FIG. 44 is a more detailed diagrammatical view of the determiningand comparing steps of an embodiment of the method of FIG. 43.

[0062]FIG. 45 is a flow chart of camera operation utilizing the methodof FIG. 43.

[0063]FIG. 46 is a diagrammatical view of the operation of amodification of the camera of FIG. 1, which provides for revisedrecapture.

[0064]FIG. 47 is a modification of the flow chart of FIGS. 31a-31 c inwhich the camera provides for revised recapture. FIGS. 31a-31 b remainapplicable and FIG. 47 replaces FIG. 31c.

[0065]FIG. 48 is a diagrammatical view of the archival image revisingphotography method.

[0066]FIG. 49 is a diagrammatical view of another revised recapturephotography method in which the camera provides user instructions.

[0067]FIG. 50 is a diagrammatical view of an electronic camera thatprovides archival image revising.

[0068]FIG. 51 is a diagrammatical view of another archival imagerevising photography method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0069] In the following, feature sets of the several different camerasand methods are discussed in terms of particular embodiments combiningall or many of those features. Alternative embodiments combining fewerfeatures and alternative features are also discussed herein. Otheralternatives will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

[0070] Camera Features

[0071] Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1-10, the verifying camera 10has a body 12 that holds a capture system 14 having an archival imagecapture unit 16 and a evaluation capture unit 18. The two differentcapture units 16,18 can take a variety of forms and can be completelyseparate from each other or can share some or most components. Theevaluation capture unit 18 captures a scene image electronically and canalso be referred to as an electronic image capture unit. The archivalimage capture unit 16 can capture images electronically or on film.Cameras 10 are mostly discussed herein in relation to an archival imagecapture unit 16 that captures latent images using photographic film asthe archival media 20. Such an archival image capture unit 16 is alsoreferred to herein as a “film image capture unit”.

[0072] In an embodiment of the camera 10 having a film image captureunit 20, when the photographer trips a shutter release 22, a subjectimage (a light image of a scene) is captured as a latent image on aframe of the film 20 and at least one electronic image is captured on anelectronic array imager 24 of the evaluation capture unit 18. Theelectronic image or images are digitally processed and used to provideone or more derived images that can be shown on an image display 26mounted to the body 12. The electronic images, as captured in analogform and after digitization, but not other modification, are referred togenerically herein as “original electronic images”. After furthermodification, the electronic images are referred to generically hereinby the term “derived images”. Derived images are modified relative tothe original images. This can be for calibration to the display or aparticular file structure, or matching to output media. Thesemodifications may or may not also include the addition of metadata. Aderived image that is matched to the expected product of photofinishingthe archival image is also referred to herein as a “verification image”.More than one derived image can be made from a single originalelectronic image. A derived image that differs from the verificationimage in a predetermined manner, unrelated to expected photofinishing,is referred to herein as an “evaluation image”. Modifications matched toexpected photofinishing may or may not also be present in an evaluationimage.

[0073] The camera body 12 provides structural support and protection forthe capture units 16,18 and other components. The body 12 of the camera10 can be varied to meet requirements of a particular use and styleconsiderations. It is convenient, if the body 12 has front and rearcovers 28,30 joined together over a chassis 32. Many of the componentsof the camera 10 can be mounted to the chassis 32. A film door 34 and aflip-up flash unit 36 are pivotably joined to the covers 28,30 andchassis 32.

[0074] The film image capture unit 16 has a film holder 38 that holds afilm unit 40 during use. In the camera of FIGS. 7-8, the film holder 38is part of the chassis 32. (The term “film unit 40” is used to refer tophotographic film 20 and any accompanying canister or other supportstructure or light block, or the like.)

[0075] The configuration of the film holder 38 is a function of the typeof film unit 40 used. The type of film unit 40 used is not critical. Thecamera 10 shown in the figures is film reloadable and uses an AdvancedPhoto System (“APS”) film cartridge. Other types of one or two chamberfilm cartridge could also be used and roll film can also be used. It iscurrently preferred that the camera 10 is reloadable. The camera 10 canhave a IX-DX code reader (not shown) to determine the film type and adata recorder 398 to write data on the film indicating how many printsof each film frame to produce, print format, and the like. This is notlimiting. Information including metadata can be read and written by anymeans well known to those of skill in the art.

[0076] The film holder 38 includes a pair of film chambers 42,44 and anexposure frame 45 between the film chambers 42,44. The film unit 40 hasa canister 46 disposed in one of the chambers. A filmstrip 20 is woundaround a spool 48 held by the canister 46. During use, the filmstrip 20extends across the exposure frame 45 and is wound into a film roll inthe other chamber. The exposure frame 45 has an opening 50 through whicha light image exposes a frame of the film 20 at each picture takingevent.

[0077] During use, the filmstrip 20 is moved by a film transport 52 outof the canister 46 of the film cartridge 40, is wound into a film rollin the supply chamber 44, and is then returned to the canister 46. Thefilm transport 52, as illustrated, includes an electric motor locatedwithin a supply spool 49, but other types of motorized transportmechanisms and manual transports can also be used. Filmstrip exposurecan be on film advance or on rewind.

[0078] The electronic image capture unit has an electronic array imager24. The electronic array imager 24 is configured so as to capture, foreach picture-taking event, one or more electronic images that correspondto a latent image concurrently captured on the filmstrip 20. The type ofimager 24 used may vary, but it is highly preferred that the imager 24be one of the several solid-state imagers available. One highly populartype of solid-state imager commonly used is the charge coupled device(“CCD”). Of the several CCD types available, two allow easy electronicshuttering and thereby are preferable in this use. The first of these,the frame transfer CCD, allows charge generation due to photoactivityand then shifts all of the image charge into a light shielded,non-photosensitive area. This area is then clocked out to provide asampled electronic image. The second type, the interline transfer CCD,also performs shuttering by shifting the charge, but shifts charge to anarea above or below each image line so that there are as many storageareas as there are imaging lines. The storage lines are then shifted outin an appropriate manner. Each of these CCD imagers has both advantagesand disadvantages, but all will work in this application. A typical CCDhas separate components that act as clock drivers, analog signalprocessor-analog/digital converter 104 (also referred to as “A/Dconverter 104”). It is also possible to use an electronic image sensormanufactured with CMOS technology. This type of imager is attractive foruse, since it is manufactured easily in a readily available solid-stateprocess and lends itself to use with a single power supply. In addition,the process allows peripheral circuitry to be integrated onto the samesemiconductor die. For example, a CMOS sensor can include clock drivers,the A/D converter 104, and other components integrated on a single IC. Athird type of sensor which can be used is a charge injection device(CID). This sensor differs from the others mentioned in that the chargeis not shifted out of the device to be read. Reading is accomplished byshifting charge within the pixel. This allows a nondestructive read ofany pixel in the array. If the device is externally shuttered, the arraycan be read repeatedly without destroying the image. Shuttering can beaccomplished by external shutter or, without an external shutter, byinjecting the charge into the substrate for recombination.

[0079] The electronic image capture unit captures a three-color image.It is highly preferred that a single imager be used along with athree-color or four color filter, however, multiple monochromaticimagers and filters can be used. Suitable three-color filters are wellknown to those of skill in the art, and are normally incorporated withthe imager to provide an integral component. For convenience, the camera10 is generally discussed herein in relation to embodiments having asingle imager 24 with a three color filter (not separately illustrated).It will be understood that like considerations apply to cameras 10 usingmore than three colors as well as cameras using multiple monochromaticimagers.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 25, in some embodiments the archival imagecapture unit 16 also captures the archival image electronically andstores the archival image in digital form. In this latter case, the“capture media” is digital storage media, such as electronic or magneticmemory and the archival images are transferred in digital form forphotofinishing. The memory 54 be fixed in the camera 10 or removable.The type of memory 54 used and the manner of information storage, suchas optical or magnetic or electronic, is not critical. For example,removable memory can be a floppy disc, a CD, a DVD, a tape cassette, orflash memory card or stick. The transfer of images in digital form canbe on physical media or as a transmitted electronic signal.

[0081] Two electronic capture units 16,18 can be present in the camera10, with one used as the evaluation capture unit and the other used asthe archival capture unit. An example of a suitable digital camerahaving two such electronic capture units is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,926,218, entitled “ELECTRONIC CAMERA WITH DUAL RESOLUTION SENSORS”, toSmith; which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively,a single electronic capture unit 1618 can be used as both the evaluationcapture unit 18 and the archival image capture unit 16. In this case,the archival image is derived from the original electronic image by anarchival image definition unit and the scene is defined by the effectivefield of view resulting from this operation. With a fully electroniccamera 10, the derived images can be subsampled from the originalelectronic image so as to provide lower resolution derived images. Thelower resolution derived images can be provided using the methoddescribed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,831, entitled“ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA 10 PROVIDING MULTI-FORMAT STORAGE OF FULL ANDREDUCED RESOLUTION IMAGES”, to Kuchta, et. al; which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

[0082] The camera 10 can alternatively allow use of either a film imagecapture unit 16 or an electronic capture unit as the archival imagecapture unit 16, at the selection of the photographer or on the basis ofavailable storage space in one or another capture media or on some otherbasis. For example, a switch (not separately illustrated) can providealternative film capture and electronic capture modes. The camera 10otherwise operates in the same manner as the other describedembodiments. For convenience, the camera 10 is generally discussedherein in relation to the embodiment of FIG. 4. Like considerationsapply to other embodiments.

[0083] Referring now primarily to FIG. 4, the camera 10 has a opticalsystem 56 of one or more lenses mounted in the body 12. The opticalsystem 56 is illustrated by a dashed line and several groups of lenselements. It will be understood that this is illustrative, not limiting.The optical system 56 directs light to the exposure frame 45 (ifpresent) and to the electronic array imager 24. The optical system 56also preferably directs light through an optical viewfinder 58 to theuser.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 4-5, the imager 24 is spaced from the exposureframe 45, thus, the optical system 56 directs light along a first path(indicated by a dotted line 60) to the exposure frame 45 and along asecond path (indicated by a dotted line 62) to the electronic arrayimager 24. Both paths 60,62 converge at a position in front of thecamera 10, at the plane of the subject image. In FIG. 4, the opticalsystem 56 has a combined lens unit 64 that includes both an imager lensunit 66 and a viewfinder lens unit 68. The combined lens unit 64 has apartially transmissive mirror 70 that subdivides the second light path62 between an imager subpath 62 a to the imager 24 and a viewfindersubpath 62 b that is redirected by a fully reflective mirror 72 andtransmitted through an eyepiece 74 to the photographer.

[0085] The optical system 56 can be varied. For example, the viewfinderlens unit 68, imager lens unit 66, and a taking lens unit 76 can befully separate, as shown in FIG. 5, or a combined lens unit can includeboth a taking lens unit and an imager lens unit (not shown). Otheralternative optical systems can also be provided.

[0086] In most cameras, there is a variation between the field of viewof the viewfinder and the field of view of the archival image captureunit. The scene delineated by the viewfinder is typically 80 to 95percent of the field of view of the archival image capture unit. Thedifference ensures that everything the photographer sees will becaptured in the archival image, albeit with some additional imagecontent at the edges. Cameras 10 are generally described and illustratedherein in terms of viewfinders 58 that have a 100 percent match to thefield of view of the archival image capture unit 16. This is a matter ofconvenience in describing the invention. The viewfinders 58 of thecameras 10 can be limited to 80 to 95 percent of the field of view ofthe archival image capture unit 16 without changing the other featuresdescribed.

[0087] Referring again to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the takinglens unit 76 is a motorized zoom lens in which a mobile element orelements are driven, relative to a stationary element or elements, by azoom driver 78. The combined lens unit 64 also has a mobile element orelements, driven, relative to a stationary element or elements, by azoom driver 78. The different zoom drivers 78 are coupled so as to zoomtogether, either mechanically (not shown) or by a control system 80signaling the zoom drivers 78 to move the zoom elements of the unitsover the same or comparable ranges of focal lengths at the same time.The control system 80, which includes a controller 81, can take the formof an appropriately configured microcomputer, such as an embeddedmicroprocessor having RAM or other memory for data manipulation andgeneral program execution.

[0088] The taking lens unit 76 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is alsoautofocusing. An autofocusing system 82 has a rangefinder 86 thatincludes a sensor 84. The rangefinder operates a focus driver 88,directly or through the control system 80, to move one or more focusableelements (not separately illustrated) of the taking lens unit 76. Therangefinder 86 can be passive or active or a combination of the two.

[0089] Referring now to FIG. 2, in preferred embodiments, therangefinder 86 of the camera 10 divides the scene 133 into a grid 91 ofregions 90 (illustrated as boxes in FIG. 2) and senses distances, foreach region 90, to within the limits of one of several distance ranges.A wide variety of suitable multiple sensor rangefinders are known tothose of skill in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,369discloses such a rangefinder. The rangefinder 86 then provides thedistance range for each region 90 to the control system 80, which thendetermines a subject-background pattern of the scene, as discussedbelow.

[0090] The taking lens unit 76 can be simple, such as having a singlefocal length and manual focusing or a fixed focus, but this is notpreferred. One or both of the viewfinder lens unit 68 and imager lensunit 66 can have a fixed focal length or one or both can zoom betweendifferent focal lengths. Digital zooming (enlargement of a digital imageequivalent to optical zooming) can also be used instead of or incombination with optical zooming for the imager 24. The imager 24 andimage display 26 can be used as a viewfinder prior to image capture inplace of or in combination with the optical viewfinder 58, as iscommonly done with digital still cameras 10. This approach is notcurrently preferred, since battery usage is greatly increased.

[0091] Although the camera 10 can be used in other manners, the archivalimage is intended to provide the basis of the photofinished final imagedesired by the user. The derived images thus do not have to have thesame quality as the archival image. As a result, the imager 24 and theportion of the optical system 56 directing light to the imager 24 can bemade smaller, simpler, and lighter. For example, the taking lens unit 76can be focusable and the imager lens unit 66 can have a fixed focus orcan focus over a different range or between a smaller number of focuspositions.

[0092] A film shutter 92 shutters the light path to the exposure frame45. An imager shutter 94 shutters the light path to the imager 24.Diaphragms/aperture plates 96 can also be provided in both of the paths.Each of the shutters 92,94 is switchable between an open state and aclosed state. The term “shutter” is used in a broad sense to refer tophysical and/or logical elements that provide the function of allowingthe passage of light along a light path to a filmstrip or imager forimage capture and disallowing that passage at other times. “Shutter” isthus inclusive of, but not limited to, mechanical and electromechanicalshutters of all types. “Shutter” is not inclusive of film transports andlike mechanisms that simply move film or an imager in and out of thelight path. “Shutter” is inclusive of computer software and hardwarefeatures of electronic array imagers that allow an imaging operation tobe started and stopped under control of the camera controller.

[0093] In currently preferred embodiments, the film shutter 92 ismechanical or electromechanical and the imager shutter 94 is mechanicalor electronic. The imager shutter 94 is illustrated by dashed lines toindicate both the position of a mechanical imager shutter and thefunction of an electronic shutter. When using a CCD, electronicshuttering of the imager 24 can be provided by shifting the accumulatedcharge under a light shielded register provided at a non-photosensitiveregion. This may be a full frame as in a frame transfer device CCD or ahorizontal line in an interline transfer device CCD. Suitable devicesand procedures are well known to those of skill in the art. When using aCID, the charge on each pixel is injected into a substrate at thebeginning of the exposure. At the end of the exposure, the charge ineach pixel is read. The difficulty encountered here is that the firstpixel read has less exposure time than the last pixel read. The amountof difference is the time required to read the entire array. This may ormay not be significant depending upon the total exposure time and themaximum time needed to read the entire array.

[0094] CMOS imagers are commonly shuttered by a method called a rollingshutter. CMOS imagers using this method are not preferred, since thisshutters each individual line to a common shutter time, but the exposuretime for each line begins sequentially. This means that even with ashort exposure time, moving objects will be distorted. Given horizontalmotion, vertical features will image diagonally due to the temporaldifferences in the line-by-line exposure. Another method for shutteringCMOS imagers is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,986,297. In this method,called single frame capture mode, all pixels are allowed to integratecharge during the exposure time. At the end of the exposure time, allpixels are simultaneously transferred to the floating diffusion of thedevice. At this point sequential read out by lines is possible.

[0095] Signal lines 98 electronically connect the imager 24 through thecontrol system 80 to the image display 26. The imager 24 receives alight image and converts the light image to an analog electrical signal,that is, an analog electronic image. (For convenience, electronic imagesare generally discussed herein in the singular. Like considerationsapply to each image of a plurality captured for a particular picturetaking event.) The electronic imager 24 is driven by the imager driver100. The image display 26 mounted on the outside of the camera body 12is driven by an image display driver 102 and produces a light image(also referred to here as a “display image”) that is viewed by the user.

[0096] The control system 80 controls other components of the camera 10and performs processing related to the derived image. The control system80, as earlier discussed, includes the controller 81 and memory 54 andalso includes an A/D converter 104 and an image processor 106. Othercomponents can also be provided, as discussed below, in detail. Suitablecomponents for the control system 80 are known to those of skill in theart. Modifications of the control system 80 are practical, such as thosedescribed elsewhere herein. The controller 81 can be provided as asingle component, such as a microprocessor, or as multiple components ofequivalent function in distributed locations. The same considerationsapply to the processor 106 and other components. Likewise, componentsillustrated as separate units herein may be conveniently combined orshared in some embodiments.

[0097] “Memory 54” refers to one or more suitably sized logical units ofphysical memory provided in semiconductor memory or magnetic memory, orthe like. For example, the memory 54 can be an internal memory, such asa Flash EPROM memory, or alternately a removable memory, such as aCompactFlash card, or a combination of both. The controller 81 and imageprocessor 106 can be controlled by software stored in the same physicalmemory that is used for image storage, but it is preferred that theprocessor 106 and controller 81 are controlled by firmware stored indedicated memory, for example, in a ROM or EPROM firmware memory.Separate dedicated units of memory can also be provided to support otherfunctions.

[0098] The captured analog electronic image is amplified and convertedby the analog to digital (A/D) converter-amplifier 104 to a digitalelectronic image, which is then processed in the image processor 106 andstored in the memory 54. It is currently preferred that the signal lines98 act as a data bus connecting the imager 24, controller 81, processor106, the image display 26, and other electronic components.

[0099] The controller 81 includes a timing generator (not separatelyillustrated) that supplies control signals for all electronic componentsin timing relationship. Calibration values for the individual camera 10are stored in a calibration memory (not separately illustrated), such asan EEPROM, and supplied to the controller 81. The controller 81 operatesthe memory or memories 54 and the drivers including the zoom drivers 78,focus driver 88, imager driver 100, image display driver 102, aperturedrivers 108, and film and imager shutter drivers 110,112. The controller81 connects to a flash circuit 115 that mediates flash functions.

[0100] It will be understood that the circuits shown and described canbe modified in a variety of ways well known to those of skill in theart. It will also be understood that the various features described herein terms of physical circuits can be alternatively provided as firmwareor software functions or a combination of the two. Likewise, componentsillustrated as separate units herein may be conveniently combined orshared in some embodiments.

[0101] The digital electronic image stored in memory 54, is accessed bythe processor 106 and is modified so as to provide a required derivedimage. As a part of showing a derived image on the image display, thecamera 10 may modify the derived image for calibration to the particulardisplay. For example, a transform can be provided that modifies eachimage to accommodate the different capabilities in terms of gray scale,color gamut, and white point of the display and the imager and othercomponents of the electronic capture unit. It is preferred that thedisplay is selected so as to permit all of the verification image to beshown; however, more limited displays can be used. In the latter case,the displaying of the verification image includes calibration that cutsout part of the image, or contrast levels, or some other part of theinformation in the verification image.

[0102] The derived images can also be modified in the same manner thatimages are enhanced in fully digital cameras. For example, processingcan provide interpolation and edge enhancement. A limitation here isthat the derived images are intended to correspond to photofinishedarchival images and, thus, enhancements should limited so as to notrender the derived image dissimilar to the corresponding photofinishedarchival image. If the archival image is an electronic image, thencomparable enhancements can be provided for both verification andarchival images. Digital processing of an electronic archival image canalso include modifications related to file transfer, such as, JPEGcompression, and file formatting.

[0103] Enhancements can be provided to match the calibrated derivedimage to output characteristics of a selected photofinishing channel.Photofinishing related adjustments assume foreknowledge of thephotofinishing procedures that will be followed for a particular unit ofcapture media. This foreknowledge can be made available by limitingphotofinishing options for a particular capture media unit or bystandardizing all available photofinishing or by requiring the user toselect a photofinishing choice, for example by entering a character on acontrol pad or setting a switch. This designation can then direct theusage of particular photofinishing options and can provide for a director indirect indication of the effect in a derived image. The applicationof a designation on a capture media unit could be provided by a numberof means known to those in the art, such as application of a magnetic oroptical code.

[0104] Derived images can be prepared from the electronic image beforebeing needed or as needed, as desired, subject to the limitations ofprocessing speed and available memory. To minimize the size of thememory, an electronic image can be processed and stored as a lowerresolution image, before a succeeding image is read out from the imager.

[0105] The controller 81 facilitates the transfers of the image, alongthe signal lines, between the electronic components and provides othercontrol functions, as necessary. The controller 81 includes a timinggeneration circuit (not separately illustrated) that produces controlsignals for all electronic components in timing relationship. Thecontroller 81 is illustrated as a single component, but it will beunderstood that this is a matter of convenience in illustration. Thecontroller 81 can be provided as multiple components of equivalentfunction in distributed locations. The same considerations apply to theprocessor 106 and other components. Likewise, components illustrated asseparate units herein may be conveniently combined or shared in someembodiments.

[0106] Different types of image display 26 can be used. For example, theimage display can be a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a cathode raytube display, or an organic electroluminescent display (“OELD”; alsoreferred to as an organic light emitting display, “OLED”).

[0107] The image display 26 is preferably mounted on the back or top ofthe body 12, so as to be readily viewable by the photographerimmediately following a picture taking. One or more information displays114 can be provided on the body 12, to present camera information to thephotographer, such as exposures remaining, battery state, printingformat (such as C, H, or P), flash state, number of prints ordered, andthe like. For convenience, the information display is generallydiscussed here in the singular. The information display 114 provides avariety of camera 10 related information and can include a warningmessage if an archival image will provide an unsuitable quality print orother final image after photofinishing, as discussed below in detail.The information display 114 and image display 26 can be provided byseparate display devices or both be provided by contiguous parts of acommon display device. The information display 114 can be deleted ifinformation is instead provided on the image display 26 as asuperimposition on the image or alternately instead of the image (notillustrated). If separate, the information display 1 14 is operated byan information display driver 116. Alternatively, the camera 10 caninclude a speaker 237 which provides audio warnings instead of, or inaddition to, visual warnings depicted on the information display 114,image display 26, or both.

[0108] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the image display 26 ismounted to the back of the body 12 and the information display 114 ismounted to the body 12 adjacent to the image display 26 such that thetwo displays form part of a single user interface 1 18 that can beviewed by the photographer in a single glance. The image display 26, andan information display 114, can be mounted instead or additionally so asto be viewable through the viewfinder 58 as a virtual display (notshown).

[0109] It is preferred that the image display 26 is operated on demandby actuation of a switch (not separately illustrated) and that the imagedisplay 26 is turned off by a timer or by initial depression of theshutter release 22. The timer can be provided as a function of thecontroller 81.

[0110] Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 4, the user interface118 of the camera 10 includes the shutter release 22, a “zoom in/out”button 120 that controls the zooming of the lens units, and other usercontrols 122 along with the image display 26 and the information display114. The shutter release 22 operates both shutters 92,94. To take apicture, the shutter release 22 is actuated by the user and trips from aset state to an intermediate state, and then to a released state. Theshutter release 22 is typically actuated by pushing, and, forconvenience the shutter release 22 is generally described herein inrelation to a shutter button that is initially depressed through a“first stroke”, to actuate a first switch S1 and alter the shutterrelease 22 from the set state to the intermediate state and is furtherdepressed through a “second stroke”, to actuate a second switch S2 andalter the shutter release 22 from the intermediate state to the releasedstate. Like other two stroke shutter releases well known in the art, thefirst stroke actuates exposure-delimiting camera components, such asautofocus, autoexposure, and flash unit readying; and the second strokeactuates capture of the archival image.

[0111] Referring now to FIG. 4, when the shutter release 22 is pressedto the first stroke, the taking lens unit 76 and combined lens unit 64are each autofocused to a detected subject distance based on subjectdistance data sent by the rangefinder 86 to the controller 81. Thecontroller 81 also receives data indicating what focal length the lensunits 76,64 are set at from one or both of the zoom drivers 78 or a zoomsensor (not shown). The camera 10 also detects the film speed of thefilm cartridge 40 loaded into the camera 10 using a film unit detector124 and relays this information to the controller 81. The camera 10obtains scene brightness (Bv) from components, discussed below, thatfunction as a light meter. The scene brightness and other exposureparameters are provided to an algorithm in the controller 81, whichdetermines a focused distance, shutter speeds, apertures, and optionallya gain setting for amplification of the analog signal provided by theimager 24. Appropriate signals for these values are sent to the drivers88,100,108,110,112 via a motor driver interface (not shown) of thecontroller 81. The gain setting is sent to the ASP-A/D converter 104.

[0112] The camera 10 assesses ambient lighting using the imager 24 or aseparate detector 126 (indicated by dashed lines in the figures) orboth. The detector has an ambient detector driver 128 that operates asingle sensor 129 or multiple sensors (not shown). The term “sensor” isinclusive of an array of sensors. Sensors are referred to here as being“single” or “multiple” based on whether the ambient light detectionseparately measures light received from different parts of the ambientarea. A “single sensor” may have separate photodetectors for differentcolors. The ambient light detector or sensors can receive light from theoptical system 56 or can be illuminated external to the optical system56.

[0113] In some embodiments, the evaluation capture unit 18 is used toassess ambient lighting. In those embodiments, one or more electronicimages are captured prior to capture of the archival image. The capturedelectronic image data from one or more of these preliminary images issampled and scene parameters, such as automatic setting of shutterspeeds and diaphragm settings, are determined from that data. Thesepreliminary electronic images can be captured in a continuing sequenceas long as the capture system 14 is in a preliminary mode. For example,preliminary images can be captured, seratim, as long as the shutterrelease 22 is actuated through the first stroke and is maintained inthat position. This capture of preliminary images ends when the shutterrelease 22 is returned to a stand-by position or is actuated through thesecond stroke for archival image capture. The preliminary electronicimages could be saved to memory 54; but, except as otherwise describedhere, are ordinarily discarded, one after another, when the replacementelectronic image is captured to reduce memory usage. The preliminaryimages can also be provided to the image display 26 for use by thephotographer, prior to picture taking, in composing the picture. Thisuse of the image display 26 as an electronic viewfinder greatlyincreases energy usage and is not preferred for that reason.

[0114] The electronic capture unit is calibrated during assembly, toprovide measures of illumination, using known values. For example, thecontroller 81 can process the data presented in a preliminary imageusing the same kinds of light metering algorithms as are used formultiple spot light meters. The procedure is repeated for eachsucceeding preliminary image. Individual pixels or groups of pixels takethe place of the individual sensors used in the multiple spot lightmeters. For example, the controller 81 can determine a peak illuminationintensity for the image by comparing pixel to pixel until a maximum isfound. Similarly, the controller 81 can determine an overall intensitythat is an arithmetic average of all of the pixels of the image. Many ofthe metering algorithms provide an average or integrated value over onlya selected area of the imager array 24, such as an upper middle region.Another approach is to evaluate multiple areas and weigh the areasdifferently to provide an overall value. For example, in a centerweighted system, center pixels are weighted more than peripheral pixels.The camera 10 can provide manual switching between different approaches,such as center weighted and spot metering. The camera 10 canalternatively, automatically choose a metering approach based on anevaluation of scene content. For example, an image having a broadhorizontal bright area at the top can be interpreted as sky and given aparticular weight relative to the remainder of the image.

[0115] Under moderate lighting conditions the imager 24 can providelight metering and color balance determination from a single preliminaryimage. More extreme lighting conditions can be accommodated by use ofmore than one member of the series of preliminary electronic imageswhile varying exposure parameters until an acceptable electronic imagehas been captured. The manner in which the parameters are varied is notcritical.

[0116] The following approach is convenient. When an unknown scene is tobe measured, the imager 24 is set to an intermediate gain and the imagearea of interest is sampled. If the pixels measure above some upperthreshold value (TH) such as 220, an assumption is made that the gain istoo high and a second measurement is made with a gain of one-half of theinitial measurement (1 stop less). (The values for TH and TL given hereare by way of example and are based on 8 bits per pixel or a maximumnumeric value of 255.) If the second measurement provides a code valuecorresponding to approximately one-half the previous measured sensorillumination level, it is assumed that the measurement is accurate andrepresentative. If the second measurement is still above TH, the processis repeated until a measurement is obtained that has a value that isone-half that of the preceding measurement. If the initial measurementresults in a value less than a low threshold (TL) such as 45, the gainis doubled and a second measurement made. If the resultant measurementis twice the first measurement, it is assumed that the measurement isaccurate and representative. If this is not the case, then the gain isdoubled again and the measurement is repeated in the same manner as forthe high threshold. Exposure parameters, such as aperture settings andshutter speeds can be varied in the same manner, separately or incombination with changes in gain. In limiting cases, such as fulldarkness, the electronic image capture unit is unable to capture anacceptable image. In these cases, the evaluator 140 (illustrated in FIG.4, as a dashed box within controller 81) can provide a warning messageto the user that the camera 10 cannot provide appropriate settings underthe existing conditions. The evaluator 140 is generally treated hereinas a part of the controller 81. The evaluator 140 can also be providedas a separate component or as part of another component of the controlsystem 80.

[0117] After the controller 81 receives the scene brightness value, thecontroller 81 compares scene brightness to a flash trip point. If thelight level is lower than the flash trip point, then the controller 81enables full illumination by the flash unit 36, unless the user manuallyturned the flash off. Appropriate algorithms and features for theseapproaches are well known to those of skill in the art.

[0118] A second switch S2 actuates when the shutter release 22 isfurther pushed to a second stroke. When the second switch S2 actuates,the film shutter 92 is tripped and the capture of the latent imageexposure on the film frame begins. The film shutter 92 momentarily opensfor a duration referred to herein as a “archival image exposure timeinterval”. The imager shutter 94 is also actuated and momentarily opensone or more times during the archival image exposure time interval.

[0119] Revision Suggestions and Use of Oversized Imager

[0120] In particular embodiments, the camera 10 provides revisionsuggestions to the user, after successful image capture. (Unsuccessfulimage capture is discussed below, in relation to warning messages.)

[0121] Referring now to FIG. 3, the camera 10 is aimed by the user at asubject of interest 130. With the camera 10 aimed, an archival angle ofview (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 3) of the archival image captureunit 16 defines a photographic scene 133 for archival capture and theevaluation capture unit 18 defines an assessment angle of view 135 thatmay or may not be the same as the angle of view of the archival captureunit 16. In FIG. 3, the assessment angle of view 135 includes thearchival angle of view 131 indicated by dashed lines and the additionalvolume indicated by dot-dashed lines in FIG. 3.

[0122] As an aid in aiming, it is highly preferred that the photographicscene 133 defined by the archival image capture unit 16 is alsodelineated in a viewfinder 58 of the camera 10 (within ordinaryviewfinder limits, as already discussed). The delineation of the scenein the viewfinder 58 can be accomplished by limiting the field of viewof the viewfinder 58 to match the scene or by defining the scene byimposing a reticle on a larger field of view.

[0123] The terms “photographic scene” and “scene” as used herein, referto everything in a particular light image that has been or would becaptured by the archival image capture unit 16 of the camera 10. Inother words, the photographic scene is defined by the field of view ofthe archival image capture unit 16. The term “field of view” is usedherein to refer to the entire area imaged by a particular opticalcomponent or system. The “scene” is the totality of what the user hascomposed for archival image capture in a particular picture takingevent. The “scene” generally can be classified as having a subject 130and a background 132. From the viewpoint of the photographer, thesubject 130 is the important part of the scene, such as a person orobject or interest, and the background 132 is ancillary.

[0124] The photographic scene is defined by archival image capture or,alternatively, by a user designation of a photographic scene independentof archival image capture. The latter provides for use of the camera 10as an instructional tool without archival image capture. The userdesignation, in that case, can be provided by actuation of the shutterrelease 22 through the second stroke, when archival media is not presentin the camera 10 or archival image capture is disabled by the user. Theuser designation can alternatively be provided by actuation of aseparate control (not illustrated) provided for that purpose. Forconvenience, the following discussion is limited to revision suggestionsprepared following archival image capture. It will be understood thatlike considerations apply when the camera 10 is used as an instructionaltool without archival image capture.

[0125] Again referring to FIG. 3, while the scene is delineated in theviewfinder 58, an archival image is captured along with one or moreoriginal electronic images. The original electronic images each have afield of view that is inclusive of the defined scene, and, in somecases, is larger than the field of view of the defined scene. Followingcapture, one or more images are derived from the original electronicimage and these derived images are displayed to the user on the imagedisplay 26 mounted to the body 12 of the camera 10, either on demand orautomatically following capture. More than one derived image can beshown on the image display 26 at the same time, but due to sizeconstraints, it is preferred that each of the derived images aredisplayed in alternation. It is also preferred that the derived imagesare only shown on demand, so as to not distract the user duringcontinued picture taking.

[0126] It is preferred that an original electronic image is capturedconcurrently with the capture of the archival image and that a derivedimage corresponding to the scene is made available for displayimmediately following image capture. This derived image is also referredto herein as the “derived scene image”. As earlier indicated, whenmatched to resemble a corresponding archival image after expectedphotofinishing, the derived scene image is also referred to herein as a“verification image”. Derived images including different parts of theoriginal electronic image than the derived scene image and derivedimages with modified exposure parameters relative to a correspondingarchival image are referred to herein as “assessment images”.

[0127] The cameras 10 are generally discussed herein in terms ofembodiments in which derived images include a verification image andassessment images. It will be apparent that like considerations apply toother, different embodiments.

[0128] Following successful capture of the original electronic image,exposure information for the derived scene image is analyzed for commonphotographer errors and oversights, and, responsive to that analyzing,one or more revision suggestions for changes in an ensuing capture of anarchival image of the same subject matter are displayed to the user. Theexposure information can include such information as rangefinder data onthe regions 90 corresponding to the derived scene image, the cameraorientation, the selected print format (aspect ratio), and brightnessand color information for different areas of the image. The cameraorientation is provided by a camera orientation sensor 134. The printformat is indicated by a user actuable switch (not separatelyillustrated). Brightness and color information can be derived from theelectronic image or one or more separate sensors or both.

[0129] It is highly preferred that the analysis of the exposureinformation includes one or more different determinations directed toidentifying the photographic subject and background in the photographedscene and derived scene image. The reason for this preference is thatrevision suggestions relating to composition are expected to be more ofa help to a novice photographer than other revision suggestions. This isparticularly the case where the camera 10 provides one or more automaticfunctions, such as automatic flash and focusing, which eliminate theneed for some possible revision suggestions. A novice photographer isalso less likely to recognize and know how to remedy compositionalshortcomings shown in a verification image, than other shortcomings,such as brightness problems. On the other hand, the compositionalshortcomings are likely to be just as apparent to the user in finishedprints or other relatively large images. The novice may also needencouragement to retake a picture with a compositional problem than toretake a picture that is too bright, or too dark, or blurred by cameramovement, or the like. In this case, the revision suggestion acts as ateaching tool and encourages the user to try different compositions thatmight not otherwise come to mind.

[0130] It is preferred that the determination of subject and backgrounduses rangefinder 86 data for the different regions 90 of the derivedscene image. The criteria used for separating the different regions 90into subject and background can vary, depending upon expected camerausage. A convenient criteria is that a region 90 is background if themeasured distance for the region 90 is greater than some multiple of themeasured distance of the nearest region 90 and a region 90 is subject ifthe measured distance is less than or equal to that multiple of themeasured distance of the nearest region 90. A convenient multiple istwo. Another convenient criteria, that can be applied by itself or incombination with the last criteria; it that a region 90 is background ifthe measured distance corresponds to the infinity position for thetaking lens unit 76. For example, with some cameras 10, this distance is12 feet or greater. Another criteria that can be applied by itself orwith one or more other criteria, is that outer regions 90 of the imageare background. This criteria is most useful if applied as a counterpartto a determination of close inner regions 90 of the image. Anothercriteria is, if the flash unit 36 has fired, then brighter regions 90 orregions 90 that are both brighter and closer represent the subject andother regions 90 are background. This criteria is conveniently used as afallback when other distance based criteria are ambiguous. Still anothercriteria is that if the rangefinder 86 detects only subject matter atthe infinity position, then regions 90 that are brighter or bluer orboth are considered sky. For example, a reaiming suggestion can then bemade, if the horizon is centered.

[0131] An advantage of the criteria just mentioned is simplicity. Other,more complex criteria, such as pattern detection, can also be used. Forexample, the electronic image can be analyzed to determine eye positionswithin the image. This approach requires greater computing resources.

[0132] A shortcoming of the various criteria, particularly the simplecriteria, is that erroneous compositional revision suggestions will bepresented, at least occasionally. This is not a major drawback. Thegreat majority of people recognize good composition and bad compositionwhen they see it. It is expected that revision suggestions that showgood composition will be easily detected and that erroneous revisionsuggestions with poor composition will be easily ignored. It is alsolikely that having been shown different ways of capturing the samesubject, users will more easily pursue their own visions by combiningone or more suggestions or going off in another direction entirely.

[0133] Since erroneous revision suggestions are not critical, a numberof different revision suggestions can be made in response to a singlederived scene image, using different conflicting criteria, such asdeterminations of the subject and background. It is likely that the userwill consider the resulting group of revision suggestions beneficial,even if one or more suggest a worse composition than was originallycaptured.

[0134] A revision suggestion is implemented, during a succeedingarchival image capture. Revision suggestions, if followed by the user,result in a capture of an archival image that differs from theassessment image. In preferred embodiments, the revision suggestionfollows exposure of a first archival image (film or digital); and theuser follows the revision suggestion in capturing a second archivalimage. The first archival image captures the moment, that is, a scenethat may quickly change. The second archival image can provide animprovement based upon a revision suggestion, but only if desired and ifcircumstances allow a repetition. Revision suggestions can be providedwithout an initial archival image capture, but this approach isprimarily intended to teach better technique rather than provide acamera for ordinary use.

[0135] Based upon the analysis of the exposure information, digitalsubroutines for one or more revision suggestions are selected from alook-up table 136 of available revision suggestions. The look-up table136 can be in the form of a database of stored subroutines, or analgorithm from which subroutines are derived as needed, or can be somecombination of one or more databases and algorithms. The algorithms caninclude fuzzy logic algorithms or subroutines.

[0136] Referring to FIG. 26, the revision suggestions are represented bya depiction 138 that is shown to the user. The depiction 138 can be inthe form of a text message 138 a or an icon 138 b communicating thesuggested effect. It is highly preferred that the subroutines are forthe derivation of images embodying an application of the variousrevision suggestions to the original electronic image. (Revisionsuggestions, which are displayed as derived images are also referred tohere as “revision suggestion images 138c”.) Revision suggestions canalso be presented as a combination of derived images and indicia. InFIG. 26, four different depictions of a revision suggestion of zoomingin or getting closer are shown. An icon depiction 138 b is in the formof a stylized letter “Z”. A text depiction 138 a is the text “zoom”. Arevision suggestion image 138 c shows a derived image that has beendigitally zoomed in to a predetermined extent. A combination revisionsuggestion 138 d superimposes a text or iconic suggestion on therevision suggestion image.

[0137] It is highly preferred that revision suggestions are presented tothe user as revision suggestion images 138 c, because this approach isquicker for the user to implement than is the case for indicia orcombinations of indicia and one or more derived images. With indicia oran indicia-image combination, the user must visualize the appearance ofthe succeeding archival image either mentally or by setting up for theproposed shot. This takes time, particularly for a novice presented withmultiple revision suggestions. With revision suggestion images 138 c, anadditional visualizing step is unnecessary, since the appearance of thesucceeding archival image is shown, within practical limits, on theimage display. The user can more quickly decide to follow, or notfollow, a revision suggestion. The user can also quickly decide whetherto follow a revision suggestion only in part, or to combine more thanone revision suggestion. This increases the benefit to the user, since asuggestion does not have to be perfectly appropriate to provide usefuladvice, and also frees the user to be more create and enjoy thephotographic process.

[0138] It will be apparent that an almost unlimited number and varietyof revision suggestions can be made available for the user. Onepractical limit on the number and type of revision suggestions is theintended use of the camera 10. For example, a wider variety and largernumber of revision suggestions are more appropriate for a camera 10designed for use primarily as a teaching tool or for expert use, thanfor a camera 10 intended for general purpose use. Another practicallimit is the conflicting requirements of the user's tolerance oferroneous suggestions and the greater processing load imposed byhardware and software capable of reducing the number of erroneoussuggestions. Still another practical limit is the photographer's abilityto quickly understand and act on the information presented. Somerevision suggestions are also intrinsically of marginal usefulness inmost picture taking situations, such as suggesting a double exposure oruse of a fish-eye lens. It is thus preferred that, for a particularcapture event, the total number of revision suggestions be limited andthat revision suggestions with a high risk of inappropriateness beavoided.

[0139] Specific values for the total number and type of suggestions canbe preset, or set by the user. In the latter case, revision suggestionscan be provided in a hierarchy or selectable levels in the same mannerthat pull-down menus are varied in computer programs. For example, auser could select a revision suggestion level between few, moderate, andmany; or alternatively, between, beginner, novice, and advanced. An“off” setting can also be provided, in either case, to turn off therevision suggestion function. The user controls 122 of the userinterface 118, can include a switch for this purpose. For a camera 10used by a casual photographer, it is currently preferred that the numberof revision suggestions be preset at no more than three per imagecapture event and that the revision suggestions be limited so as toreduce the risk of suggestions that are completely inappropriate to aparticular scene.

[0140] Duplication of suggestions and provision of more than one similarsuggestion can also be eliminated to improve the photographer's abilityto quickly understand and act on the information presented. For example,for a horizontally composed scene, it is undesirable to suggest both aright rotation to a vertical composition and a left rotation to the samecomposition. Likewise, zooming in/moving closer is better suggested by asingle or small number of revision suggestion images 138 c, rather thana long series of images at many different zoom positions.

[0141] Revision suggestions can be broadly categorized as compositionchanges and exposure parameter changes and combinations of both.Composition changes are rearrangements in some or all of the visualelements of a scene. Exposure parameter changes are modifications ofcamera functions that alter some or all of the visual elements of ascene without rearrangement. It is highly preferred that the exposureinformation be analyzed for both composition changes and exposureparameter changes. For example, a determination can first be made toidentify the photographic subject and background in the photographedscene and the derived scene image. The relative characteristics of thesubject and background can then be then evaluated and compared topredetermined ranges of values.

[0142] Table 1 lists some examples of revision suggestions andcorresponding categories, user actions, and digital modifications usedto make the assessment images mimic the suggested changes. TABLE 1Digital modification of assessment Revision suggestion Category Useraction image increase or decrease composition zoom in or out or digitalzoom relative size of change bring camera and subject in scene subjectcloser together or further apart change position of composition reaimcamera recenter subject relative to change derived background in scenedigital image change scene composition rotate camera digital rotationgeometry (camera change orientation) change lighting on exposure alterflash settings- digital subject parameter flash/fill lightening/ changeflash/no flash or darkening alter ambient lighting change depth ofexposure alter exposure digital field/focus zone parameter settings orsharpening/ change exposure mode blurring based on rangefinder data

[0143] Composition changes can be limited to the derived scene image orcan add image elements that go beyond the derived scene image in one ormore directions. An example of a change limited to the derived sceneimage is zooming. For zooming, a digital zoom algorithm is applied tothe derived scene image and the resulting revision suggestion image 138c mimics the effect of optical zooming or moving closer. Digital zoomalgorithms are well known to those of skill in the art. Another exampleof a composition change that does not add image elements is rotation ofa square derived scene image.

[0144] An example of a composition change that adds image elements thatgo beyond the derived scene image is reaiming the camera 10 so asrecenter the scene of the succeeding archival image relative to thederived scene image. Another example of a composition change that addsimage elements that go beyond the derived scene image is rotation of acamera 10 having a rectangular derived scene image. In order to providethese sorts of revision suggestion images 138 c, an original electronicimage field of view is needed that includes the derived scene image andextends beyond the derived scene image on at least one side.

[0145]FIG. 9 illustrates an original electronic image 142 of a scenecaptured by an imager 24 that is “oversized” relative to the archivalimage captured by the camera 10. FIG. 10 illustrates a verificationimage 144 that has a rectangular format and is derived from the originalelectronic image 142. The verification image 144 is shown against acrosshatched box 146 that indicates the size and relative position ofthe original electronic image. The archival image captured has the samerelationship to the original electronic image, as is shown for theverification image in FIG. 10. The original electronic image is scaledand proportioned so as to permit the production of the revisionsuggestion image 138 c shown in FIG. 11 against box 146. This revisionsuggestion image 138 c mimics a 90 degree rotation of the camera 10. Thewidth and height of the original electronic image in FIG. 9 are equaland are proportional to the longest dimension of the archival image, asindicated by FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 12 illustrates an original electronicimage that is scaled and proportioned so as to permit revisionsuggestion images 138 c including rotation and recentering. The originalelectronic image extends beyond the verification image 144 on all foursides, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0146] An oversized imager for a particular configuration of archivalimage is prepared by designing the optical system to provide a desiredangle of view to particular imager, in a manner well known to those ofskill in the art. The imager angle of view exceeds that necessary toallow a verification image to be derived that is offset sufficiently toremove parallax changes between the electronic capture unit and archivalcapture unit at different focus distances. The imager angle of view is,thus, oversized relative to both the archival image and any parallaxcorrection of the electronic image capture unit. This allows the camerato correct verification images and other derived images for parallax byshifting the portion of the original electronic image used to derive theimages. This is in addition to the other changes discussed herein,necessary to provide particular revision suggestions.

[0147] The evaluation capture unit 18 is configured to provide the angleof view needed for an original electronic image 142 scaled andproportioned to match an archival image having a particular format. Asabove illustrated, the angle of view can be larger than the originalelectronic image 142 in one or both dimensions and actual dimensions ofthe imager 24 are not critical. For reasons of efficiency, it ispreferred that the imager 24 is no larger than necessary to enablerevision suggestions desired for the camera 10.

[0148]FIGS. 14a-18 illustrate the effect of reaiming and rotationrevision suggestions on the required size of the original electronicimage 142. In FIG. 14a, a verification image 144 is shown in which asubject's head 148 is centered horizontally and vertically. A revisionsuggestion image 138 c, shown in FIG. 14b, has the person's head 148 bemoved up to a position one-third of the distance from the top of theimage. The horizontal position is unchanged. FIG. 14c shows the originaldimensions of the scene in solid lines 145 and the proposed change indashed lines 147. FIGS. 15a-15 c show the same things for a verticallyoriented scene.

[0149]FIG. 16a shows the same scene as in FIG. 14a. FIG. 16b is arevision suggestion image 138 c showing the effect of camera rotationand reaiming to move the person's head 148 to one-third of the way downfrom the top of the image. FIG. 16c shows the effect of this change onthe dimensions of the scene in the same manner as FIGS. 14c and 15 c.FIG. 17a is a verification image 144 the shows the same scene as in FIG.14b, that is, the person's head 148 is one-third down from the top ofthe image. FIG. 17b is the same revision suggestion as in FIG. 16b. FIG.17c, the suggested change in the scene, differs from FIG. 14c; since therevision suggestion reaims the camera 10 through a different angle.

[0150]FIG. 19b shows a zoom in or move closer revision suggestion image138 c that would be provided in response to the verification image 144of FIG. 19a. FIG. 19c shows the effect of this change on the dimensionsof the scene. FIGS. 20a-20 c are comparable, but the camera 10 is heldvertically and the revision suggestion image 138 c shows both zooming inor moving closer and repositioning the person's head to the one-thirdposition. To help the user, this suggestion can include a text messageor other indicia (not shown in FIGS. 20a-20 c, such as the words “zoomin”, indicating the action required of the photographer to implement therevision suggestion accompanying the image. The camera can follow thissame approach with all revision suggestions or only those that arecomplex and might be confusing. The text or other indicia can be imposedon the revision suggestion image 138 c or on a separate informationdisplay 114 or the like. The text can be simple or even incomplete onthe assumption that the user will rely predominantly on the image. Forexample, FIG. 20b could be provided with the message: “Zoom+Reposition”.

[0151]FIG. 18 is a diagrammatical view of an imager 24 capable ofcapturing an original electronic image that can be used for the revisionsuggestions 138 shown in FIGS. 14-17 and 19-20. The solid line is theimager 24. The dashed line 149 indicates the portion of the imager 24that provides the derived scene image used as the verification image144. (The dashed line 149 shown has an aspect ratio of 4:7. The aspectratio of the verification image is matched to the aspect ratio of thearchival image.) The center (indicated by a plus sign “+”) of thederived scene image portion is centered horizontally and one-third downfrom the top of the original electronic image vertically. The longestdimension (indicated by an “x”) of the imager 24 is 4/3 of thecorresponding dimension (indicated by an “a”) of the derived scene imageportion. The other dimension (indicated by a “y”) of the imager 24 is7/6 of dimension “a” of the derived scene image portion.

[0152] The imager 24 of FIG. 18 is also suitable for capturing anoriginal electronic image 142 that can be used for revision suggestionimages (not illustrated) that include zooming out or moving farther fromthe subject.

[0153] The capabilities of the imager 24 of FIG. 18 can be implementedin a camera 10 that is capable of providing all of the revisionsuggestions of FIGS. 14-17 and 19-20. This is convenient, since thiscombination of revision suggestions covers a great many of the commonfailings of novice photographers. Referring to FIG. 21, this combinationalso allows the camera 10 to offer multiple revision suggestions inresponse to the detection of a particular set of scene parameters. InFIG. 21, for example, a tree 150 is positioned at about the center ofthe verification image 144. The camera prepares a suggestion set havingthree revision suggestion images 138 c. All three of the revisionsuggestion images 13 8 c move the tree 150 up to the one-third point.The uppermost revision suggestion image 1381 does nothing further. Thesecond 1382 has the camera 10 rotated 90 degrees. The third 1383 has thetree 150 zoomed in or closer.

[0154] In FIG. 21, the revision suggestions provide the user with both asuggested correction of the detected mispositioning of the tree 150 atthe center and, in addition, suggest alternative ways of composing thescene. This is likely to be valuable to the user, even if the user findsthe suggestion of reaiming to position the tree at the one-third pointto be inappropriate. For this and similar reasons, it is generallydesirable to provide revision suggestions to the user that suggestalternatives and different ways of looking at a scene, rather thansimply closely tying revision suggestion to just curing detectedproblems.

[0155] The imager 24 can provide an original electronic image 142 thathas a greater assessment angle of view than even the imager 24 of FIG.18. This is useful for reaiming in a horizontal direction, comparable toand in addition to, the reaiming in a vertical direction previouslydescribed. FIGS. 22-23 illustrate an original electronic image 142 forsuch an imager 24 and a corresponding revision suggestion image 138 cthat suggests recentering a detected subject in a horizontal direction.

[0156] The algorithm used to determine which revision suggestions toprovide can be more or less complex, as desired, within the limits ofavailable processing power in the camera 10. For example, animplementation of a simple algorithm is illustrated in FIGS. 27-30. Inthis case, the rangefinder data is first analyzed, as earlier discussed,to determine subject and background. Suggestions are then made, exceptin one case, based solely on the relative position of the subject. FIGS.27-30 show detected subjects and resulting revision suggestions.Rangefinder information is represented by grids 91 of rangefinderregions 90 in a manner similar to FIG. 2. The position of the detectedsubject is indicated by boxes bearing an “X”. In all of these figures,the revision suggestions are made in relation to an H-aspect ratio (4:6)verification image. Similar suggestions would apply to C-aspect ratio(4:7) images. Revision suggestions are shown in FIGS. 27-30 by solidlines 145 for the original dimensions of the scene and dashed lines 147for the suggested dimensions following the revision suggestion.

[0157] In FIG. 27, a relatively large subject 152 has what may beexcessive background above and to the left of the subject. A firstrevision suggestion is reaiming vertically. A second revision suggestionis changing to a panoramic aspect ratio. A third revision suggestion isreaiming vertically and to the right.

[0158] In FIG. 28, a subject 154 is narrow with what may be excessivebackground on both sides. A first revision suggestion is changing to avertical orientation. A second revision suggestion is changing to aC-aspect ratio.

[0159] In FIG. 29, a subject 156 has what may be excessive backgroundabove and on both sides. A first revision suggestion is reaiming andzooming in/moving closer. A second revision suggestion is reaiming andchanging to a vertical orientation. A third revision suggestion isreaiming and changing to C-aspect ratio.

[0160] In FIG. 30, a subject 158 is off center, with what may beexcessive background above the subject. The off center subject isassumed to be intentional, but a revision suggestion is changing to aPanoramic aspect ratio.

[0161] Another situation, that is not illustrated, is that therangefinder data shows only background, with no subject. In this case, alandscape image is presumed and a panoramic aspect ratio is suggested.Brightness and color information can also be used to suggest reaiming tomove the apparent horizon to the one-third point. For this revisionsuggestion, it is assumed that the sky is in the upper portion of theimage and is brighter or bluer than the rest of the image.

[0162] The image display 26 shows the verification image and the otherderived images. This can be accomplished in several different ways. Arectangular display can show a rectangular derived image, of the sameaspect ratio, at full size and can show a reduced size image for acamera rotation revision suggestion. Alternatively, the image display 26can show the same suggestion sideways at full size for the imagedisplay. In this case, the user is forced to rotate the camera 10 to seethe displayed revision suggestion in proper orientation. This approachhas the advantage that the compared derived images are the size; but isnot preferred, since it is cumbersome and discourages rapid switchingbetween the verification image and revision suggestion images 138 c. (Itis expected that many users will find such rapid switching valuable forcomparing differences in the verification image and revision suggestionimages 138 c.

[0163] It is preferred that the image display 26 is oversized such thatderived images having the same aspect ratio can be shown the same sizein vertical and horizontal orientations. A square display, as shown inFIG. 1, is convenient for this purpose, but a rectangular display canalso be used if the derived images are commonly sized to fit in allorientations.

[0164] In embodiments of the camera 10 in which the original electronicimage 142 is larger than the archival image and verification image 144,the electronic capture unit 18 can assess ambient lighting for theoriginal electronic image 142 as a whole or for the portion of theoriginal electronic image 142 corresponding to the archival image andthe verification image. (In both cases, as above discussed, actualmeasurements may be limited by sensor configuration to less than theentire area of the image.) It is currently preferred that ambientlighting be assessed using the portion of the original electronic imagethat provides the verification image and corresponds to the archivalimage. This approach follows the intentions of the photographer and alsoprovides values for capture settings that best match the scene.

[0165] Since the data is available, ambient lighting and otherconditions for each of the revision suggestion images 138 c can,optionally, also be assessed independently. These assesssments are notused to set exposure parameters, but rather to determine digitalmodifications for individual revision suggestion images 138 c. Thedigital modifications change the respective revision suggestion images138 c to mimic what would be seen in the succeeding archival imagecorresponding to the individual revision suggestion image 138 c. This isnecessarily inexact and is limited by available image information andprocessing speed and memory constraints. A further constraint, asearlier noted, is that the subject of the scene must also remainavailable for recapture in the succeeding archival image.

[0166]FIG. 24 illustrates an example of this approach. The digitalmodification is the use of a lightening-darkening algorithm to mimic theeffects of changes in Ev (exposure value). A scene is first composed bythe photographer using the camera viewfinder 58. The viewfinder image160 of the scene has a subject 162, a woman holding a basket, positionedto one side rather than centered. (In this example, a house 163 is alsoshown. The house is much farther from the camera 10 than the woman andis treated as part of the background.) The shutter release is pressedthrough a first stroke, actuating switch S1. As, elsewhere discussed,this preliminary capture event (indicated in FIG. 24 by box 165) causesthe electronic imager to capture one or a series of preliminaryelectronic images 164 and to capture rangefinder information 91. Forsimplicity, the following discussion is based on usage of a singlepreliminary electronic image 164.

[0167] The preliminary electronic image 164 is digitized and subdividedinto paxels 166 resulting in a subdivided image 168. Each paxel 166 is ablock of pixels (not illustrated). For example, a convenient approachdivides an image into an array of 36 by 24 paxels, each paxel beingderived from a 16 by 16 block of pixels. (For clarity, the paxels inFIG. 24 are illustrated greatly oversized and in an n by n array. Paxelsare not limited to n by n blocks.) A determination is made of theexposure value of a first portion 170 of the subdivided image 168. Thefirst portion 170 matches the scene defined by the viewfinder image 160and is symbolized, in FIG. 24, by a pattern of X's in the respectivepaxels 166 of the subdivided image 168. The pixels of the first portion170 are combined into respective paxels 166 by a pixel accumulator (notillustrated), which averages logarithmically quantized RGB digitalvalues to provide an array of paxel values for the paxels 166 in thefirst portion 170. The paxels 166 are weighted, in one of the mannersabove-discussed, to determine exposure values for archival image captureand for capture of an original electronic image 142 concurrent withcapture of the archival image.

[0168] The rangefinder information is in the form of ranging values fordifferent elements (not separately illustrated) of the rangefinder 86.The values indicate detected distances in a pattern of regions 90defined by respective elements. The regions have a predeterminedrelationship to the scene and viewfinder image 160 (symbolized in FIG.24 by the region grid 91 superimposed on a representation of the scene).The autofocus uses the values for the regions to adjust focus of thetaking lens.

[0169] The shutter release is then pressed through a second stroke,actuating switch S2 and resulting in the main capture event (indicatedby box 169 in FIG. 24). The archival image 167 is captured. Concurrentwith capture of the archival image 167, an original electronic image 142is captured. The original electronic image is digitized to provide adigitized original electronic image 142 and a corresponding subdividedimage 168 a is produced.

[0170] A verification image 144 is prepared from the first portion 170of the subdivided image 168 that corresponds to the scene. In FIG. 24,the verification image is shown at the upper right. Within the limits ofprocessing equipment and the like, the final image produced byphotofinishing will match the verification image 144.

[0171] Rangefinder information is accessed at this time (this isindicated in FIG. 24 by a repetition of region grid 91). The rangefinderinformation used can be concurrent with the preliminary electronic imageearlier discussed or can be new information resulting from a measurementof rangefinder values at the time of archival image capture, dependingupon available processing power and other practical limitations. Thevalues for the regions 90 are compared and a subject is determined. Thisanalysis may correspond to the autofocusing earlier performing, or canweigh values in a different manner. In FIG. 24, the subject isdetermined to be off-center. This information and other values of cameraparameters are fed into a look-up table 136, which, in response,supplies a revision suggestion to reaim the camera 10 to center thesubject. This is indicated by the displaced pattern 172 of X's in therespective paxels 166 of the subdivided image. A revision suggestionimage 138 c is prepared from the second portion of the originalelectronic image defined by the displaced pattern 172.

[0172] In the verification image 144, the sun 182 is in the background.In the revision suggestion image 138 c shown in FIG. 24, the camera isreaimed and the sun 182 would be out of the angle of view of thearchival image capture unit 16. With some light metering arrangements,this would result in different exposure parameters than were determinedfor the first scene. The presence or absence of the sun in the scene cancause different exposure parameters to be determined. For example, theforeground of the scene can be underexposed if the sun is in the sceneand properly exposed when the sun is excluded.

[0173] This type of change from a verification image 144 to a revisionsuggestion image 138 c can be accommodated by using the array of paxels166 corresponding to the revision suggestion image 138 c to determinehypothetical exposure parameters which can then be used by alightening-darkening modification algorithm 178 to calculatemodifications of the respective portion of the electronic image to mimicthe effect the exposure parameters would produce in the operation of thearchival image capture unit 16. The modifications are applied to producethe respective revision suggestion image 13 8 c, as needed.

[0174] Exposure parameter changes alter exposure parameters, such asshutter speed, diaphragm opening, and lighting. The revision suggestionimages 138 c that present exposure parameter changes are generated bymodifying the entire scene or only part of the scene, in a mannersimilar to the revision suggestion image 138 c just described, in whichthe exposure parameters differed between the different portions of theoriginal electronic image.

[0175] A variety of exposure parameter revision suggestions can beprovided for flash related changes. The use of full flash can besuggested. This can be provided when the camera 10 detects a darksubject against a dark background, with both the subject and backgroundwithin flash range. A corresponding revision suggestion image 138 c canbe uniformly brightened digitally to mimic the effect of the flash. Theuse of fill flash can be suggested. This can be provided by a digitalmodification that lightens paxels 166 in the revision suggestion image138 c matching the position of the subject detected by the rangefinder86. If the camera 10 detected a dark subject against a dark, out offlash range background; the camera 10 could suggest two revisionsuggestions: one for normal flash, depicted by lightening the subjectonly; and another for night portrait, depicted by lightening the subjectand lightening the background to some degree. (In night portrait, thesubject is mainly exposed by flash illumination, but the shutter remainsopen sufficiently to provide an ambient light background exposure. Nightportrait mode is designed for situations, in which a flash exposuresufficient for a foreground subject is insufficient to illuminate thebackground adequately. With night portrait mode, the subject is wellexposed by the flash against a visible background.)

[0176] Changes in depth of field and focus zone can be presented in asimilar manner. Areas of the revised suggestion images detected atvarious distances can be blurred or sharpened digitally to mimic opticalblurring and sharpening resulting from changes in lens focus and depthof field.

[0177]FIGS. 31a-31 c are a flow-chart of a particular embodiment ofcamera logic implementing the providing of the above discussedcomposition and exposure parameter revision suggestions. Beginning at“Start 184”, the user presses the shutter release 22 through a firststroke closing switch S1. The camera determines (186) if switch S1 isclosed and, if so, one or more preliminary electronic images arecaptured (188). The flash setting, print format selection, imageorientation, and ranging information are also determined (190), (192),(194), (196).

[0178] The camera determines (198) if switch S2 is closed by the userpushing the shutter release through the second stroke. If so, the camerafirst focuses (200) the taking lens and captures (202) the archivalimage. Other parts of the optical system, such as the viewfinder lensunit, are focused in tandem with the taking lens, as necessary andwithin the limitations of differences in focus positions and the like.At least one evaluation image is captured (204) by the electronic imagerconcurrent with capture of the archival image. The evaluation image isdigitized (206). A verification image is derived (208) from thedigitized evaluation image.

[0179] Either at this point or earlier, the camera determines (210) thesubject and the background in the scene. The camera compares (212) thesubject-background information and other values of exposure parametersto the look-up table to see if the determined information matches presetconditions for one or more of the revision suggestions in the look-uptable and generate (214) the revision suggestion set. The revisionsuggestion set is saved (216) to memory.

[0180] The user actuates switch S3 to view derived images. The cameradetermines (218) if switch S3 is closed and, if so, actuates the imagedisplay. It is preferred that S3 be configured to remain open, despiteattempted user actuation, if switch S1 is closed. Upon closure of switchS3, the verification image is shown (220) on the display.

[0181] The user can then actuate switch S4 to view revision suggestionimages. The camera determines (222) if switch S4 is closed. If switch S4is closed, the camera reads (224) the revision suggestion set, generates(226) a first revision suggestion image, and shows (228) the firstrevision suggestion image in place of the verification image.

[0182] Camera determines (230) if all of the revision suggestion imageshave been shown and, if not, repeats the steps of the last paragraph foreach of the revision suggestion images of the suggestion set. When allof the revision suggestion images of the set have been shown, the cameradetermines (232) if the user is done reviewing the images. If not, thecamera repeats the steps beginning with determining whether switch S3has been actuated. If the user is done, then the camera returns to aninitial condition as at the start (184). A switch S5 can be provided toallow the user to provide an overt indication of being done reviewingimages. Alternatively, a timer can presume the user is done after aperiod of inactivity or the like. The camera can also monitor foractuation of switch S1 and stop displaying derived images wheneverswitch S1 is pressed.

[0183] The above discussion has generally been limited to simplerevision suggestions and simple parameters triggering implementation ofthose suggestions. In actual use, more complicated approaches are likelyto be found more beneficial for users. For example, revision suggestionsof one or more of: reaiming the camera, rotating the camera, and zoomingor moving closer, can be limited to scenes in which a subject isdetected in a particular distance range, such as 3 to 20 feet (1 to 6meters) by the rangefinder.

[0184] Output Quality Warnings

[0185] Referring now to FIGS. 32-45, in some embodiments, the camera 10provides an output quality warning if a captured archival image islikely to be of low quality when photofinished. The warning allows theuser to take another picture of the same subject matter, whilecorrecting for the undesired condition that was present in the earliercapture event. The warnings are based on an analysis of one or moreevaluation images captured during archival image capture. The warningscan be provided in addition to revision suggestions or can be providedseparately without revision suggestions.

[0186] Referring now to FIG. 43, in the method for providing outputquality warnings, the capture settings are determined (254) for archivalimage capture and the archival image is captured (256). Concurrent withcapture (256) of the archival image is capture (258) of a plurality ofevaluation images. One or more image characteristics of the evaluationimages are determined (260) following capture (258). The imagecharacteristics of the evaluation images are then compared (262) tostandard ranges provided in a lookup table (not illustrated). An outputquality warning is then generated (264) when one or more of the imagecharacteristics is outside one of the standard ranges. The verificationimage is presented (266) to the user on the display and that the sametime the output quality warning is also presented (268).

[0187] The warnings can be depicted by indicia or images or acombination. FIG. 38 illustrates a verification image 144 and fourdifferent depictions of a warning that the final image is likely to betoo dark after photofinishing. A first warning depiction 236 a is anicon in the form of a stylized letter “D”. A second warning depiction236 b is the text “too dark”. A third warning depiction 236 c is aderived image which is darkened excessively relative to the verificationimage 144. A similar warning depiction (not illustrated) can be adepiction of fully black image. Another warning depiction 236 d is acombination of the verification image 144 and the text message “toodark”. The warning depiction 236 necessarily differs from theverification image, since the verification image is not in and of itselfa warning. In all cases, the warning 236 depicts a particular problemexpected in the final image after photofinishing, in a manner that ismore apparent to the user than would be the case with the verificationimage 144. This is shown in FIG. 38. The third warning depiction 236 cis a modification of a derived image in which the image is artificiallydarkened much more than the verification image 144. This darkening isreadily apparent to the user. The fourth warning depiction 236 d is acombination of the verification image 144 and a superimposition on theverification image 144 of the text “too dark”. For ease of rapidrecognition, it is preferred that warnings 236 are in the form ofindicia, such as text, either by itself or in combination with a derivedimage.

[0188] The warning can be presented as text or other indicia, on theinformation display 114 instead of the image display 26. If the warningsare presented on the information display 114, it is preferred that theinformation display 114 and the image display 26 be provided in a userinterface 118 that can be perused in a single glance without reorientingthe camera 10. This allows a user to quickly check for warning messages236 while reviewing the verification image 144.

[0189] It is possible for the warning 236 to be presented by anindicator (not illustrated) such as a light emitting diode or the like.This approach is not preferred. The reasons are that an indicator lightor the equivalent is much more ambiguous than the other warningdepictions earlier discussed unless an impractical number or arrangementof many indicators is provided. It is much simpler and more practical topresent necessary text or other indicia on a display.

[0190] It is preferred that the warnings 236 attract the attention ofthe user to an unambiguous message that there will be a problem in thefinal image after photofinishing. Currently preferred forms of warningsare static, scrolling, or blinking text messages and large iconscentered on the image display. The indicia can also be highlighted.“Highlighting” here refers to any presentation, such as brighterlighting, that makes one of a group of icons more noticeable.

[0191]FIGS. 33-37 illustrate some specific examples of how the warning236 can be provided. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 33-37, theinformation display 114 is rectangular and contiguous with the bottom ofthe image display 26. Textual warning messages are presented on theinformation display.

[0192] In FIG. 33, the scene was properly captured, with no motion orexposure problems, and the information display 114 does not provide awarning message. A text message 238 indicates that the film unit 36includes recorded information that is interpreted at photofinishing torequire printing of “1 copy” of the archival image. FIG. 34 illustratesthe same information panel as in FIG. 33, but after a different scenehas been captured. In this example, the user moved the camera 10 as thepicture was taken. A warning message is provided in the informationdisplay 114 indicating that there was too much motion. In addition, theprint count is automatically set to zero copies, so that the archivalimage will not be printed in this case, unless overwritten by the user.

[0193]FIG. 35 illustrates the same information panel as in FIG. 33, butafter a different scene has been captured. In this example, the usertook a portrait under backlighted conditions and the sun was included inthe archival image field-of-view. A warning message is provided by theinformation display 114 indicating that the highlights are too bright.The print count is again set to zero. FIG. 36 illustrates an alternativewarning message for the same picture taking conditions as in the exampleof FIG. 35. In FIG. 36, a large warning message icon 236 a is overlaidin the image. This icon may be a bright color (e.g. bright red) and/ormay be flashing, in order to gain the user's attention. In FIG. 37, thewarning message 236 b, “BACKLIT SCENE FILL FLASH ON”, is that the camerahas responded to lighting conditions with an automatic compensation,which will may or may not be acceptable to the user.

[0194] In FIG. 34, the warning message is based on an analysis of one ormore exposure characteristics of two or more temporally displacedelectronic images captured, concurrently with archival image capture. Asdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/493,442, filed Jan. 28,2000, multiple images can be used to determine if the captured latentimage was blurred by relative motion of the camera 10 and the contentsof the scene.

[0195] Camera motion that occurs during the archival image exposure timeinterval is captured in the latent image as a blurred image. Subjectmotion, rather than camera motion, appears as a blurred area within thelatent image. The extent of blur is a function of range of theparticular motion and the time duration of the motion relative to thelatent image time interval. This blur may or may not be visualized in asingle concurrent electronic image depending upon any difference in theelectronic exposure time interval and the latent image time interval.Shutter times can be made the same for electronic and latent images, butnot without considerable difficulty.

[0196] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/493,442 discloses a techniquefor visualizing motion blur in a verification image. In this technique,two temporally displaced electronic images are captured during thearchival image exposure time interval and combined to provide theverification image. The result, two superimposed images, approximatesthe motion blur in the archival image. (FIG. 34 illustrates this withtwo combined line images 240,242.)

[0197] The camera 10 uses this technique to prepare a verification imageand, in addition, makes a determination for warning purposes as towhether motion blur is present. Movement of the optical system 56relative to all or part of the scene is determined by comparing thevalues from two digital images taken at different times during the filmexposure period. Hand shake, undesired movement in the scene to becaptured, and the like, can be determined by determining the amount ofdifference between the two images. If this motion-related differenceexceeds a threshold, a warning message is shown on the image display 26.

[0198] Referring now to FIG. 39, capture, during archival image capture,of the two digital images 244,246 used for motion blur analysis ispreferably timed to occur at the beginning 248 and end 250 of thearchival image exposure time interval 252. (The two additionalelectronic images shown in FIG. 39 are discussed below in relation toexposure analysis.) Motions that cause a difference in the scene imagebetween initial and final portions 248,250 of the archival imageexposure time interval 252 will cause corresponding differences in thedigital images 244,246. These digital images 244,246 from the beginningand end of the latent image capture interval are referred to here as“first and last electronic images 244,246”. This term is inclusive ofboth the respective original electronic images and corresponding derivedimages. More precise terminology, such as “first and last originalelectronic images” and “first and last evaluation images”, is used onlywhen a further distinction is needed.

[0199] The verification image can be either of the first or lastevaluation images or, preferably, the verification image can be providedby a pixel-by-pixel combination of the two images, with intensitiesreduced by half before or after combining.

[0200] Relative camera-scene motion that is completely limited to themiddle portion 278 of the archival image exposure time interval 252 isnot detected. For most picture taking, this is unimportant; since themajority of motions seen in actual picture taking and those motions mostdamaging to photofinished final image quality would be detected.

[0201] It is preferred that capture of the first original electronicimage 244 begin at substantially the same time as the archival imageexposure time interval 252 and that capture of the last originalelectronic image 246 end at substantially the same time as the archivalimage exposure time interval 252. The alternative, that the electronicexposure time interval of one or both of the first and last originalimages 244,246 goes beyond the time limits of the archival imageexposure time interval 252; presents a risk that the resultant combinedimage will show motion that was not timely and was not captured by thelatent image. The first and last original electronic image timeintervals 280,282 are “substantially” simultaneous with the archivalimage exposure time interval if any difference in simultaneity is of alength of time that would stop motion in an image capture event. Forexample, a first original electronic image time interval that started{fraction (1/250)} second before the archival image exposure timeinterval would be substantially simultaneous with the archival imageexposure time interval. The relative proportions of the initial portion248, middle portion 278, and final portion 250 of the archival imageexposure time interval 252 can vary, but it is preferred that theinitial and final portions 248,250 be equal in duration and have thesame temporal overlap with the respective first and last electronicexposure time intervals 280,282.

[0202] The evaluation of motion requires an imager 24 that can obtain atleast two exposures in the archival image exposure time interval. Therelative photographic speeds of the film 20 and the imager 24 must beselected so as to make this possible. This currently is very easy toaccomplish, since relatively fast imagers and slower films are readilyavailable. It is convenient to select an imager first and then select afilm that has a photographic speed allowing archival image exposure timeintervals that permit multiple exposures by that particular imager.

[0203] The two evaluation images derived from the first and lastoriginal electronic images 244,246 are subtracted, in the form ofintensities on a pixel-by-pixel basis, to prepare a difference image(not illustrated) that indicates the magnitude of the difference betweenthe first and last images 244,246. (Different exposure times can beadjusted for, but it is preferred that the first and last originalelectronic images 244,246 have the same exposure time.) The differenceimage is compared to a threshold and if the difference image exceeds thethreshold, a warning message is provided to the user. This comparison isillustrated in FIG. 40 by a histogram 253 of an example difference imageplotting intensity versus number of pixels at each unit intensity. Acurve 255 on the same plot shows the threshold. In this example thedifference image does not exceed the threshold. Determination of suchhistograms is performed in the control system using methods well-knownto those skilled in the art.

[0204]FIG. 44 illustrates these steps for the method shown in FIG. 43.The last evaluation image 246 is subsampled (270) and the firstevaluation image 244 is subtracted (272). (In addition to producingdifference values, this procedure also, in effect, subsamples the firstevaluation image 244 in the same manner as the last evaluation image246.) The absolute value of the intensity of each pixel of thedifference image is calculated. If there were no motion, and noelectronic noise, this difference image would be equal to zero. However,due to noise and subject motion, the difference image pixel values aregenerally non-zero. The larger the values, the more motion was presentin the captured film image. The difference image is compared (274) tothe threshold. For example, as discussed above a histogram providing thenumber of pixels at each particular code value can be calculated andplotted against a predetermined threshold curve. The camera checks (276)if the difference image is within or beyond the threshold and generates(264) a warning only when needed. In addition to a warning, the cameracan provide a revision suggestion that the user try to hold the camerasteadier, use a tripod, or the like.

[0205]FIG. 40 depicts the motion blur testing histogram for the captureevent corresponding to the verification image shown in FIG. 33, alongwith the threshold limit curve 255 for excessive motion blur. Thehistogram count at each code value is compared to the threshold limit atthat same code value provided by curve 255. If the threshold comparisonindicates that the threshold is never exceeded for any pixel code value,then there is no motion blur problem. If the threshold comparisonindicates that the threshold is exceeded for at least one code value,the quality is determined to be unsuitable due to motion blur. Theexample depicted in FIG. 40 has no motion blur. FIG. 34 illustrates acaptured image in which the user moved the camera 10 as the picture wastaken. In this case, the threshold curve of FIG. 40 is exceeded and awarning message indicating excessive motion is provided on theinformation display.

[0206] Alternative methods of determining the amount of motion blur canbe utilized. For example, a threshold comparison could require that thethreshold be exceeded for several code values before indicating that thequality was unsuitable; or the average of the absolute value of allpixels in the difference image can be calculated and compared to athreshold code value. The desirablity of a particular comparison dependsupon the level of motion blur considered acceptable for a particular useand the level of electronic noise expected with a particular camera.Other algorithms for determining motion blur, for example, algorithmsbased on the results of motion vectors calculated using the first andlast electronic images, could alternatively be used.

[0207] Multiple original electronic images can also be used to determinewhether a final image that will be produced by photofinishing aparticular non-flash archival image will have a range of luminancevalues likely to represent an unsuitable picture by reason ofoverexposure or underexposure or what is, in effect, a combination ofboth. (A common example of the latter is a backlit scene shot withoutfill-flash.) This exposure evaluation can be combined with an evaluationfor motion blur.

[0208] The exposure evaluation here is directed to the expectedqualities of a final image produced by photofinishing, rather than thequalities of the scene captured. This takes into account the latitude ofphotographic film, particularly photographic print film, which correctsmoderate over and under exposure of the archival image.

[0209] In the capture event, the latent film image is captured bymomentarily opening the film shutter 92 for an archival image exposuretime interval with the film diaphragm at an archival image diaphragmsetting. The duration of the archival image exposure time interval andthe archival image diaphragm setting are determined and set, before thefilm exposure begins, in the same manner as in other photographic filmcameras 10. An exposure value for a particular scene is evaluated andthe shutter and diaphragm settings are determined. This is generallydescribed here as an automatic procedure, but these procedures could beperformed manually, for example, by using an external meter and fullymanual controls.

[0210] As noted, the photographic film has an exposure latitude thatdoes not require archival image capture at an optimum exposure value.The term “exposure latitude” is used herein to refer to the exposurerange of a characteristic curve segment over which instantaneous gamma([DELTA] D/[DELTA]log E) is at least 25 percent of the average gamma inthe straight line center portion of the characteristic curve. (The term“E” is used to indicate exposure in lux-seconds. The term “gamma” isemployed to indicate the incremental increase in image density ([DELTA]D) produced by a corresponding incremental increase in log exposure([DELTA] log E) and indicates the maximum gamma measured over anexposure range extending between a first characteristic curve referencepoint lying at a density of 0.15 above minimum density and a secondcharacteristic curve reference point separated from the first referencepoint by 0.9 log E. The exposure latitude of a color element havingmultiple color recording units is the exposure range over which thecharacteristic curves of the red, green, and blue color recording unitssimultaneously fulfill the aforesaid definition.) The archival imagecapture, thus, can be anywhere within a range of exposure values andsatisfactory results will be obtained. The exposure latitude isparticularly broad with color negative film, i.e., print film.

[0211] The camera 10 provides a warning when an archival image exceeds apredetermined exposure requirement. To do so, the camera 10 must takeinto account the exposure latitude of the film used and the relationshipof camera determined exposure values to the exposure latitude.

[0212] A relationship of camera determined exposure values to exposurelatitude, in most cameras 10, is simple. The film shutter 92 anddiaphragm settings are matched to the determined exposure value, withinthe limits of accuracy of camera components. This approach is simple andindependent of available exposure latitude. An alternative approach isto offset film shutter 92 and diaphragm settings from a determinedexposure value relying upon some of the available exposure latitude. Forconvenience, cameras 10 disclosed herein are described in terms of, butnot limited to, the simpler approach of matching to the determinedexposure value.

[0213] The camera 10 can determine the exposure latitude for a loadedfilm by reading an encodement or manual setting. The camera 10 caninstead be limited to using photographic films that all have similarexposure latitudes. This is currently the case for Advanced PhotoSystem™ (APS™) films (also referred to herein as “APS negative films”),which are limited to color and chromogenic negative films, which allhave similar exposure latitudes. For example, the camera could belimited to use with APS negative films having an exposure value foracceptable images of up to 4 photographic stops overexposure and up to 2stops of underexposure relative to an optimized exposure. As analternative, warning messages can be limited to occasions whenappropriate films are used, as determined automatically by the camera 10from a film unit encodement, such as a DX code or manually set by theuser. Each encodement or manual setting would define a particularexposure latitude for the purposes of warning messages.

[0214] Corresponding to the archival image exposure value is a nominalelectronic exposure value for electronic image capture. The nominalelectronic exposure value is calculated in the same manner as thearchival image exposure value, but based on parameters of the evaluationcapture unit 18 rather than the archival image capture unit 16. Theimager 24 of the evaluation capture unit 18 differs from photographicfilm in that, at least in comparison to film, the imager 24 exhibits anegligible amount of the above-discussed exposure latitude. Commonlyavailable commercial imager have this characteristic. In practicalterms, the exposure latitude of these imagers is within limits ofaccuracy for setting exposure parameters and can thus be ignored.

[0215] The nominal electronic exposure value is used to provide settingsfor the first and last original images that are used for the motion bluranalysis earlier discussed. Either of these two original electronicimages can be used in deriving the verification image, or, preferably,the verification image can be provided by a pixel-by-pixel combinationof the two images. The camera 10 is generally discussed here in terms offirst and last original images, each exposed at the nominal electronicexposure value; and a verification image derived by reducing pixelvalues of each image by half and combining the results. Otherapproaches, such as combining pixel values of first and last originalimages exposed at exposure levels reduced by half, can also be used toproduce an equivalent verification image. For convenience, theverification image is generally referred to herein as having beenexposed at the nominal electronic exposure value. This usage isinclusive of the various different approaches used to produce theverification image. Also for convenience, the camera 10 is generallydiscussed in relation to an embodiment simultaneously providing bothmotion blur analysis and exposure analysis.

[0216] Referring to FIG. 39, for exposure analysis, at least two moreoriginal electronic images are captured in addition to the first andlast original images. The different original electronic images can beseparated only by a minimal time interval imposed by the imager or moreof the original electronic images can be delayed relative to a precedingoriginal electronic image, within the limits of available time. Thecapture of four temporally displaced original electronic images isconvenient for this purpose. Those original images include the first andlast original images 244,246 and two more original electronic images284,286 (also referred to here as “exposure original electronicimages”). After capture, each of the original electronic images are sentas analog output to the A/D converter 104 for conversion to digitalimages, which are then stored in memory 54. Original images not need forthe production of the verification image can be subsampled to reduce thesize of the memory needed for storage, since the processing needed todetermine whether the image quality is suitable can be performed on arelatively low resolution image.

[0217] The exposure original electronic images 284,286 can be capturedduring the archival image exposure time interval 252, between capture ofthe first and last original images 244,246. Alternatively, the exposureoriginal electronic images 284,286 can be captured outside the archivalimage exposure time interval 252 (this is not illustrated). Thosecaptures can be either before or after the archival image exposure timeinterval 252, or one exposure original electronic image 284 or 286 canbe captured before and the other 286 or 284 can be captured after thearchival image exposure time interval 252. Due to the possibility ofchanging exposure conditions and to minimize time requirements for eachpicture taking event, it is preferred that the exposure originalelectronic images 284,286 are both captured during the archival imageexposure time interval 252.

[0218] The exposure original electronic images 284,286 have higher andlower exposure values than the nominal electronic exposure value and arereferred to as an “overexposure image 286” and “underexposure image284”, respectively. The order indicated by the references numbers 284and 286 and shown in FIG. 39 is unimportant. Either exposure originalelectronic image 284 or 286 can precede the other.

[0219] The overexposure and underexposure values are selected torepresent the limits of the maximum exposure latitude of the film. Forexample, with color negative film that has an exposure value latitudefor acceptable images of up to 4 photographic stops overexposure and upto 2 stops of underexposure; the overexposure setting exposes the colornegative film at +2 stops and the underexposure setting exposes the filmat −4 stops.

[0220] Whether a latent film image was exposed at a suitable level isdetermined by analyzing the histograms of the verification image, theoverexposure image, and the underexposure image. Determination of suchhistograms can be performed in the same manner as earlier described forthe motion blur analysis.

[0221] If the verification image has many pixels values at the minimumand maximum levels, the histograms from the over-exposed andunder-exposed images can be examined to determine how significant theover or under exposure was, taking into account the particular filmtype. For example, pixels can be counted that have a code value of 0using a scale of possible values of 0 to 255 in both the verificationimage and the overexposure image. Likewise, pixels can be counted thathave a code value of 255 using the same scale in both the verificationimage and the underexposure image.

[0222] In the example shown in FIG. 39, four temporally displacedoriginal electronic images are captured. The first original electronicimage 244 is captured, followed by capture of the underexposure image284, followed by capture of the overexposure image 286, followed bycapture of the last original electronic image 246. The imager 24 has anominal electronic exposure time interval “t” for a properly exposedoriginal electronic image. The first and last original images 244,246are exposed during first and last original electronic image timeintervals 280,282 that each have the same duration as the nominalexposure time interval “t’. The underexposure image 284 is exposedduring an underexposure time interval 288 that is shorter in durationthan time interval “t”. The overexposure image 286 is exposed during anoverexposure time interval 290 that has a longer exposure time than timeinterval “t”.

[0223] As illustrated in FIG. 39, the underexposure time interval isrelatively short, compared to the time intervals of the other originalelectronic images, and provides an underexposed image; and theoverexposure time interval is relatively long compared to the others,and provides an overexposed image. If the evaluation capture unit of thecamera 10 has a variable aperture, then the duration of one or both ofthe exposure evaluation time intervals can be changed, while keeping thesame exposure value, by changing a diaphragm setting.

[0224] The sequence of procedures followed by the camera in capturingthe archival and electronic images is shown in FIG. 45. The controller81 initially does a determination (292) of whether the first switch S1“S1” is closed. If so, then the light value is ascertained (294) basedon the film type and speed loaded in the camera 10 (which can bedetermined using the DX code as is well-known in the art) and the filmshutter 92 and aperture are calculated (296) and the electronic exposuretime intervals are calculated (296). (In this embodiment, the aperturefor the imager 24 does not change.) During this time, a determination(298) is made that the second switch S2 “S2” is closed. The filmaperture is set (300) and the film shutter 92 timer is set (302). Thefilm shutter 92 is opened (304) and the electronic shutter is opened andclosed to expose (306) the first original electronic image 244, for aperiod of time t. This first electronic image 244 is then subsampled andstored in memory 54. (The subsampling and storing of the electronicimages are not illustrated in FIG. 45.) The electronic shutter is nextopened and closed to expose (308) the underexposed image 284 for aperiod of time t/16, corresponding to a −4 stop exposure relative to thenormal exposure, and the underexposed electronic image is subsampled andstored in memory 54. The electronic shutter is then opened and closed toexpose (310) the overexposed image 286 for a period of time 4t,corresponding to a +2 stop exposure relative to the normal exposure, andthe overexposed image 286 is subsampled and stored in memory 54. A timedelay is waited (312) through so that the last electronic image capturebegins at the appropriate time, and the last original electronic image246, is exposed (314) and stored in memory 54.

[0225] The film shutter 92 timer is checked (not shown) and the filmshutter 92 is closed (316) at the end of the archival image exposuretime interval 252. The film is then transported (not shown) to advanceto the next film frame.

[0226] The difference between the first and last original electronicimages 244,246 is analyzed (318) to determine if there was motion blurin excess of a first threshold. The underexposed image 284 is analyzed(320) to determine if there are highlights in excess of a secondthreshold. The overexposed image 286 is analyzed to determine (322) ifthere are shadows which exceed a third threshold.

[0227] If any of the thresholds are exceeded an appropriate warning isgenerated (324) and the print count default is set (326) to zero prints.This also sets (327) a display timer and enables the display to show(328) the warning. Alternatively, the display timer and display can beenabled by the user using an appropriate button or other user control(not shown).

[0228] The display is shown (328) and continues with the controllerchecking (330),(332) if the display time has elapsed or the first switchS1 is closed, in which case, the display is disabled (334).

[0229]FIGS. 41-42 illustrate a particular approach for analyzingexposure level. Referring to FIG. 41, a histogram 335 providing thenumber of pixels in the underexposed image 284 (captured using anexposure time of t/16) having each particular code value is shown alongwith a threshold curve 336 for excessive highlights. Since theunderexposed image 284 has a very short exposure time (−4 stops), thereshould be very few pixels having high code values, unless there are somevery bright scene highlights, as is the case with some backlit scenes.The histogram count at each code value is compared to the thresholdlimit at that same code value provided by curve. If the thresholdcomparison indicates, that the threshold is exceeded for at least onecode value, the quality is determined to be unsuitable due to highlightexposure problems. On the other hand, if the threshold comparisonindicates that the threshold is never exceeded for any pixel code value,then there is no highlight exposure problem. This is the situation forthe example depicted in FIG. 41.

[0230] Referring to FIG. 42, a histogram 337 is shown for the number ofpixels in the overexposed image 286 (captured using an exposure time of4t) having each particular code value along with a threshold curve 338for excessive shadows. Since the overexposed image has a very longexposure time (+2 stops), there should be very few pixels having lowcode values, unless there are some very dark shadows in the scene. Thehistogram count at each code value is compared to the threshold limit atthat same code value provided by curve. If the threshold comparisonindicates that the threshold is exceeded for at least one code value,the quality is determined to be unsuitable due shadow exposure problems.On the other hand, if the threshold comparison indicates that thethreshold is never exceeded for any pixel code value, then there is noshadow exposure problem. This is the situation for the example depictedin FIG. 42.

[0231] Lookup tables are provided for the over and under exposurethresholds and processing is performed by the control system as abovedescribed for the motion blur analysis. The evaluation of over and underexposure can likewise be varied, as noted above for the motion bluranalysis.

[0232] Warning messages are provided to the user when a significantover-exposure or under-exposure condition is detected. If theunderexposure image contains many pixels at high code values, then theexposure value of the archival image, which corresponds to the exposurevalue of the verification image, was too high to capture imagehighlights. If the overexposure image contains many pixels with low codevalues, then the exposure value of the archival image was too low tocapture shadow details. In either case, the user is warned that thecaptured image is expected to provide a less than satisfactory qualityprint.

[0233] After the user is warned that the motion blur or scene exposuresetting is expected to provide an unsuitable quality print, the user canthen repeat the picture taking event. In some embodiments, such ascameras 10 providing Advanced Photo System features, the user can changethe number of photographic prints ordered to be other than a defaultnumber of prints, usually one print. If desired, the camera 10 canautomatically change to a default number of prints for images determinedto be of unsuitable quality to zero. This is shown in FIGS. 33-36. InFIG. 33, the scene was properly captured and the print count display hasa text message 238 that indicates that one print of this film image willbe provided, unless the user changes the print count. In FIGS. 34-36,the archival images are unsuitable for prints, the camera 10 has changedthe print count, and the print count message 238 indicates that zeroprints of this film image will be provided, unless the user changes theprint count.

[0234] The verification image can be displayed when the user actuates aswitch for the verification image. The warning message can instead beprovided immediately following capture, without requiring a switchactuation, as desired. Revision suggestions are provided followingactuation of a switch. The revision suggestions can include informationon potential ways to avoid the problem or problems that caused a warningmessage to be presented in relation to a previous exposure. For example,scrolling text can provide various reasons why the picture may have hadcamera 10 shake as well as potential ways to reduce the motion in futureimages, such as holding the camera 10 steady with both hands. Similarlywarning message text can provide an explanation of the problem of abacklit scene and a revision suggestion can be provided that a fillflash be used. Revision suggestions related to warning messages, likeother revision suggestions earlier discussed, can be provided asrevision suggestion images 138 c or indicia or a combination of both.

[0235] Revised Recapture Camera

[0236] In a particular an embodiment of the invention, the camera 10accepts an input from the user choosing one of the revision suggestions.The camera 10 then acts upon the chosen revision suggestion by resettingthe capture configuration of the camera 10 for recapture of the samescene implementing the chosen revision suggestion. The user can thenrepeat image capture and, if the conditions have not changed, theresulting archival image closely resembles the chosen revisionsuggestion.

[0237] Referring now to FIGS. 4, 46, and 47, the user captures anarchival image and one or more evaluation images of the scene bypressing (indicated by arrow 340 in FIG. 46) the shutter release 22, asearlier discussed in relation to FIGS. 31a-31 b. The viewfinder image160 shown corresponds to the scene image captured. In the camera shownin FIG. 46, the image display is not used as an electronic viewfinderand no image is shown at the time of image capture.

[0238] In FIG. 46, the camera 10 is attached to a tripod 342 (indicatedby dashed lines) and the camera 10 and model 344 in the images remainimmobile during the steps shown. These conditions are imposed tosimplify understanding in this discussion. If a tripod is not present,then it is expected that the camera will be moved between capture of thescene and later recapture, even if the photographer and model havethemselves not moved and the camera is positioned in the same place forcapture and recapture. Such movements would change what the viewfindershows during intermediate steps, but would not change other featuresshown in FIG. 46. The camera is not, however, limited to use insituations in which the scene remains static. Many or most revisionsuggestions remain applicable despite some relative movement between asubject and the photographer or other moderate changes in sceneconditions. For example, a revision suggestion to zoom in is dependentupon the relative separation of the subject and the be photographer.Other movement of the subject or exchange of one human subject foranother at the same distance does not affect the applicability of therevision suggestion.

[0239] The camera 10 has a display switch 346 (“S-display” in FIG. 47)that is selectively actutated (indicated by arrow 348) by the user toactivate the image display 26 following image capture. The controlsystem 80 checks (358) for this actuation and responsively shows (360)the verification image 144 on the image display 26.

[0240] The camera 10 has a suggestion review switch 350 (“S-suggest” inFIG. 47) that is selectively pushed (indicated by arrow 352) by theuser. This momentarily closes switch 350. The control system 80 checks(362) for this closing. Responsive to this actuation of switch 350, thecontrol system 80 reads (364) the revision suggestion set in memory,generates (366) a revision suggestion image 13 8 c and shows (368) therevision suggestion image 138 c on the image display 26.

[0241] In FIG. 46, the revision suggestion shown is to zoom in to apredetermined extent. The revision suggestion is provided in the form ofboth a revision suggestion image 138 c and a text suggestion 138 apresented on the information display.

[0242] The control system 80 next checks (370) if an enter switch 354 isclosed and, if not, checks (372) if all members of a suggestion set havebeen shown. If not, then the process of checking for actuation of thesuggestion review switch 350 through display of the next revisionsuggestion image is repeated. The revision suggestion images 138 c arecycled through by repeated actuations of the suggestion review switch350.

[0243] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 47, the control system 80 alsochecks (376), after all the revision suggestion images have been shown,and checks (380)for an actuation of the display switch 346. If anactuation is found, then the process is repeated starting with aredisplay of the verification image. A timer (not shown) can be providedto give the user a limited period to press the display button and, ifthe display button is not pressed in that time period, return to thecamera to a start condition.

[0244] A revision suggestion is chosen by the photographer actuating(indicated by arrow 378 in FIG. 46) the enter switch 354 (“S-edit” inFIG. 47). The choice of the revision suggestion causes the controlsystem 80 to set up (374) the camera 10 in a capture configuration thatwould allow recapture of the original scene in the manner indicated bythe chosen revision suggestion. As shown in FIG. 46, the viewfinderimage 160 is changed and matches the chosen revision suggestion. Thecamera is ready for archival image recapture and no image is shown onthe image display. When a revision suggestion is chosen, the unchosenrevision suggestions are no longer necessary and can be deleted frommemory to save space.

[0245] The retaining of the camera in the capture configuration used forthe archival image, as illustrated by the verification image 144, can beprovided as a default condition which occurs unless the enter switch ispressed while a particular revision suggestion image 138 c is displayed.The user can also be given the option of quickly returning from thecapture configuration provided by a chosen revision suggestion to adefault configuration. This can be implemented by a dedicated switch(not shown) or as an additional function of one of the existing controlbuttons.

[0246] For convenience, discussion here is generally limited to revisionsuggestion depictions in the form of images. Other depictions, as abovediscussed, can also be used in a similar manner. Warnings can beprovided, in appropriate circumstances, in the manner earlier discussed.

[0247] The switches 346,350,354 are mounted to the body 12 of the camera10 and the suggestion review and enter switches 350,354 together definea designator 356 that is changeable between settings for each of therevision suggestions of the suggestion set. The particular form andmanner of operation of the designator 356 are not critical and are notlimited to those described here. For example, the designator 356 canhave a keypad (not shown) rather than a group of dedicated buttons orcan be remotely operated using a radio-frequency link (also not shown).Likewise, the designator 356 can operate in a different manner, such ascycling through the verification image along with the revisionsuggestion images of the suggestion set upon repeated actuations of adisplay button or the like. Cycling can be automatic following archivalimage capture or activation of the image display. Similarly, thedesignator can require the user to choose one of the verification imageand the revision suggestion images by pressing the enter switch 354 whenthe respective image is displayed. If the user does not choose before atimer elapses, then the camera enters a default capture configurationrather than retaining the previous configuration or changing to aconfiguration indicated by a revision suggestion.

[0248] The nature of the changes in the capture configuration of camera10 that occur when a particular revision suggestion is chosen, dependupon the nature of the revision suggestion. The possibilities arelimited by available settings of camera parameters provided by a set ofcapture modifiers. Capture modifiers are camera control features thatchange the image capture in some manner. For example, in the camera 10shown in FIG. 4, the set of capture modifiers includes the zoom takinglens 76, the film shutter 92, the film aperture/diaphragm 96, and theflash unit 36. Changes in configuration signaled by the control systemare effected by respective drivers 78, 88,110, 108.

[0249] In a particular embodiment, the camera 10 has different archivalimage capture settings for the following parameters: zoom position,print format (print aspect ratio C, H, P), shutter speed, capture, andflash usage. A revision suggestion can change the setting of one or moreof these in any combination.

[0250] After recapture set up is completed, the resulting captureconfiguration is immediately available for recapture of the scene. Ifthe scene has changed and recapture is not an option, the user can usethe new configuration for capture of another scene. As earlier noted, ifthe new scene is similar to the earlier scene, that it is likely thatacceptable results will be obtained.

[0251] Revision suggestions can be selected to help ensure acceptableresults even if a scene has moderately changed before recapture. Forexample, a revision suggestion to zoom in or to use fill flash isunlikely to present a problem to the user, even if the scene haschanged. Revision suggestions to otherwise compose the scene relative toan earlier subject or to change the lighting conditions present a muchgreater risk of error, if the scene has moderately changed.

[0252] Revision suggestions that present a great risk of error or callfor changes in configuration that are beyond camera capabilities withouthuman intervention, such as, rotating the camera or attaching a filteror lens, can be excluded from the camera or can be provided only as aninstruction to the user. In the latter case, actuation of the enterswitch 354 by the user can provide an appropriate message such as,“Automatic set-up for recapture unavailable” or “Rotate the camera 90degrees”, informing the user that he or she will have to take the stepsnecessary to set up the camera for recapture implementing the chosenrevision suggestion.

[0253] The camera 10 can have a set of condition sensors 400 (shown inFIG. 49) that signal the controller 81 as to the status of or a changein particular camera settings. Such condition sensors are well known tothose of skill in the art and are commonly used to provide feedbackduring automatic camera operations. Condition sensors are also used withmanual controls, such as a manually operable zoom lenses, to detect thecurrent setting. In the camera 10, condition sensors 400 can be used todetect a change in the capture configuration. The controller 81 canmonitor for changes in camera settings following display of the revisionsuggestions. Once a change is detected, the camera 10 can turn off thedisplay of the revision suggestions so as to be ready for image capture.

[0254] Referring now to FIGS. 49 and 4, in a particular embodiment ofthe invention, the controller 81 generates a set of instructions 402responsive to the selection of one of the revision suggestions(illustrated as revision suggestion images 138 c) by the user. Asearlier described, this follows display of the revision suggestions. Theinstructions 402 are presented on the user interface, preferably in theform of text or simple icons, shown on the information display 114, orimage display 26, or both. Audio instructions 402 provided through aspeaker (not shown) can be used instead, or in addition. The set ofinstructions 402 can be presented altogether, but is preferablypresented one instruction 402 at the time. The user can act on theinstructions 402, when presented, to effect the changes necessary forimage recapture implementing the selected suggestion. Followingpresentation of the instructions, the controller 81 monitors theconfiguration of the camera using the condition sensors 400, todetermine if the configuration has been changed by the user.

[0255] If desired, the controller 81 can lock out one or more usercontrols 122 of the user interface during the monitoring. This limitsuser inputs to those required to put into effect the instructions of theselected suggestion. As with other features described herein that arenot mandatory for image capture, a user control 122 can be provided onthe camera to turn off the display of the instructions or the display ofrevision suggestions and ready the camera for continued image capture.

[0256] In the example shown in FIG. 49, a scene is captured as anarchival image 167. The user then selects to show the verification image144 and, following that, selects to see revision suggestions 138 c. Therevision suggestions 138 c illustrated are, in order from left to right,zooming in, zooming in and rotating the camera 90 degrees, and rotatingthe camera 90 degrees. The revision suggestion 138 c of zooming in androtating the camera 90 degrees is selected by user actuation of theappropriate control (not shown in FIG. 49). This results in preparationof a set of instructions 402 for the selected suggestion. Theinstructions 402 are presented on a stepwise basis, with the firstinstructions being “zoom in”. The instructions, in the embodiment shown,are presented on the image display 26. The user complies (indicated byan arrow 404 in FIG. 49) with the instruction and adjusts the takinglens 76 so as to increase the size of the subject. A condition sensor400 signals the controller 81, which is monitoring, following thepresentation of the initial instruction 402, for changes in the cameraconfiguration. The controller 81 determines from the sensor signal, thatthe taking lens 76 has been repositioned Responsive to the signal fromthe sensor 402, the next instruction “rotate”, is presented on the imagedisplay 26. The user then rotates (indicated by arrow 406 in FIG. 49)the camera 10. A sensor 400 in the camera 10 detects the rotation andsignals the controller 81, which responsively turns off the instruction402 to rotate the camera. The camera 10 can lock up to the shutterrelease 22 when the instruction “zoom in” is given, and unlock theshutter release 22 after detecting the camera rotation. The camera 10can indicate “ready” on the display 26, following the rotation. The userthen actuates the shutter release 22, (indicated by arrow 408). Theimage is recaptured, resulting in a new archival image 410. In analternative embodiment, after the revision suggestion of zooming in androtating the camera 90 degrees is selected by the user, the controller81 automatically moves the zoom lens to the suggested setting, andpresents only the “rotate” instruction on the image display 26.

[0257] In the various embodiments, after the user has recaptured thescene, the camera 10 can remain in the configuration determined by theuser's earlier choice of a particular revision suggestion. It ispreferred, however; that the camera 10 return to the previousconfiguration or a default configuration upon completion of therecapture. The previous or default configuration can provide for settingone or more camera parameters with automatic camera systems. Inpreferred embodiments, reversion is to a default configuration having apredetermined zoom position, a predetermined print format, and exposureparameters, including flash values, automatically set for a currentlymeasured exposure value. The camera 10 can also provide this samereversion to a previous or default capture configuration when the useractuates a particular control, such as the display switch, during orfollowing display of the revision suggestions.

[0258] Following set up, but prior to recapture, the camera can providea message to the user indicating that the configuration of the camera 10has changed in response to the user's choice of one of the revisionsuggestions. This can be communicated to the user in a variety of ways.For example, the information display 114 can provide the message “Setfor recapture” (not shown), or some like message. Reversion to aprevious or default configuration would eliminate this message.

[0259] Archival Image Revising Camera

[0260] The revision suggestions displayed following successful captureof an evaluation image are not the only type of usage options that canbe presented to the user following a capture event. One additional typeof usage option that was already mentioned, is a warning message thatindicates capture failure. Another type is a presentation of availablechanges that can be made to captured archival images either immediately,for electronic archival images, or during photofinishing, for filmarchival images or alternatively for electronic archival images subjectto photofinishing. (For convenience, the following discussion isgenerally limited to photofinishing of film archival images. Likeconsiderations apply to photofinished electronic archival images and toarchival images that are printed on a personal computer-and-printer, ora stand-alone “appliance” printer, without further editing.)

[0261] While in most cases the available changes will be the same asthose presented in the revision suggestions earlier discussed, somerevision suggestions will not be usable for this purpose. Some camerasmay also be capable of making less changes than others. For this reason,revision suggestions that represent available changes are referred to,in relation to image revising cameras and methods, by the term“editorial suggestions”. This term excludes revision suggestions thatcannot be automatically implemented by the particular camera, or cameraand appropriate photofinishing equipment. For example, a revisionsuggestion to detach the taking lens and substitute a fisheye lens isnot an editorial suggestion, since the suggestion must be implemented bythe user. Editorial suggestions do not differ in other respects, fromthe be revision suggestions earlier discussed. For example, editorialsuggestions can be depicted in the same manner as revision suggestionsand editorial suggestion images, corresponding to revision suggestionimages, are again preferred depictions.

[0262] An embodiment of the photography method for revising an archivalimage is shown in FIG. 48. In a capture event, an original electronicimage is captured (382) and stored (384) in memory. The originalelectronic image can be the archival image or can archival image can becaptured time currently with the capture of the original electronicimage.

[0263] After capture (382), a suggestion set of editorial suggestions isgenerated in the same manner earlier discussed in relation to thegeneration of a revision suggestion set. In FIG. 48, this is illustratedin simplified form by the steps of: evaluating (386) parameters of thescene, matching (388) parameters to editorial suggestions, andgenerating (390) editorial suggestions.

[0264] After the set of editorial suggestions has been generated (390),depictions of the editorial suggestions are displayed (392), in the samemanner as we are disclosed for the revision suggestions. During display,the user can designate a selected suggestion. The camera accepts (394)the designation and records (396) an indication of the user selection.The indication is either an edited form of the archival image or data inthe form of editing instructions for the photofinishing equipment. Theprocedure and camera features for designating the selected suggestioncan be the same as those earlier described in relation to be revisedrecapture camera and methods, with the distinction that the camera doesnot setup for recapture but instead records the indication of the userselection.

[0265] The nature of the indication of the user selection varies withthe type of archival image. If the archival image is a latent image onphotographic film, then the indication of the user selection is in theform of data recorded on the photographic film. The camera 10 shown inFIG. 4 has a data recorder 398 that can record the data in the film unitof photographic film.

[0266] The manner in which the data is recorded is not critical. Forexample, procedures and equipment are well known for recording data in afilm unit in optical, magnetic, or electronic form. “Advanced PhotoSystem™” (“APS”) film provides for the recording of data in amagnetically recordable layer of the film. For example, many APS camerascan record magnetic data that indicates which of three print aspectratios: H, C, and P, is selected for each latent image. Photofinishingequipment (not shown), in which the film is processed, reads recordedmagnetic data and prints the latent images as final images in theselected aspect ratios. The photofinishing equipment produces the finalimages in the selected print aspect ratios optically or digitally.

[0267] A selected editorial suggestion that provides for changing theprint aspect ratio of an image can be implemented in exactly thismanner. Other editorial suggestions can be implemented similarly. Itwill be understood that this requires that the cameras andphotofinishing equipment act on a common scheme, in which thephotofinishing equipment can read and interpret the recorded data and,in response, provide a modification of the photofinishing output.Suitable schemes for providing these functions, like the Advanced PhotoSystem, are well known to those of skill in the art.

[0268] If the archival image is derived from the original electronicimage, then the indication of the user selection is in the form of anedited image, an electronic image derived from the original electronicimage by editing in accordance with the selected editorial suggestion.The edited image is stored in memory 58 of the camera 10.

[0269] The edited image can join the original electronic image in thememory, such that the same image information is duplicated, except asmodified by the respective editorial suggestion. This approach is notpreferred, since the user has to, at some time in the future, review theimages and decide whether the original electronic image or edited imageis better, before using or discarding one of the two images. It ispreferred that the original electronic image in the memory, is replacedby the edited image. This approach reduces memory requirements andprevents duplication of effort by the user. The edited image thatreplaces the original electronic image can include sufficientinformation to recreate the original electronic image, in the form ofmetadata instructions or the like.

[0270] In this embodiment, the effect of the user's choice of aneditorial suggestion varies with the nature of the depiction used forthe editorial suggestion. The original electronic image is edited afterthe user input is chosen, if the depiction of the editorial suggestionis text or an icon presented on the information display or, preferably,merged with the verification image on the image display. If theeditorial suggestion is a low resolution editorial suggestion image,then the original electronic image is modified in a simplified manner toprepare a depiction that suggests, but does not fully represent aparticular editorial suggestion. In this case, when an editorialsuggestion is chosen, the depiction is deleted and the originalelectronic image is modified again to produce the edited image, in amodification that fully complies with the editorial suggestion. If theeditorial suggestion is a suggestion image, at high resolution, thenfurther modification of the derived image is not required. When aneditorial suggestion or the verification image is chosen, the unchoseneditorial suggestions are no longer necessary and can be deleted.

[0271] In a particular example shown in FIGS. 50-51, the digital camera10 uses a megapixel imager 24 to capture an initial electronic image,which is then stored as an archival image in the form of a JPEGcompressed file on a removable memory card 54 a accessed through amemory card interface 412. The camera 10 selectively displays averification image on the image display 26 that is derived from thearchival image by subsampling. (Buttons or other user controls thatactuate the verification display and the like are not illustrated inFIG. 50, but can be like those earlier discussed. The digital camera 10includes a mode that displays editorial suggestions. The editorialsuggestions shown in FIG. 51 are enlarge image, enlarge and rotate, androtate. When the user selects (414) one of the editorial suggestions (inFIG. 50, the suggestion to enlarge and rotate is selected), the archivalimage is decompressed from the JPEG compressed file and modified bycropping (416) the image data, recompressing, and storing (418) thecropped image file 410 onto the removable memory. The original archivalimage file 167 is then preferably deleted to save space. If the useractuates display of the verification image, the replacement image fileis subsampled to provide a new verification image for display on theimage display 26. The replacement image 410 can, optionally, beresampled when cropped, as shown in FIG. 51.

[0272] Suitable cameras 10 and methods are otherwise like those earlierdescribed. For example, the camera 10 shown in FIG. 4 can be used, withsoftware modified to allow the user to select one of the editorialsuggestions of a suggestion set by actuating a user control 122 and toallow the data recorder 398 to record the data representing the userselection on the film. An example of a suitable electronic camera 10,shown in FIG. 25, is a modification of the camera of FIG. 4 to excludefeatures related to photographic film. Removable memory 58 is alsoprovided in place or in addition to other memory in the control system80.

[0273] Another suitable electronic camera 10 is shown in FIG. 50. Thecamera 10 has a docking interface 420 that is compatible with a dockingunit 422 of a personal computer 424. Electric power for the circuits ofthe camera is provided by rechargeable batteries 426. The batteries 426are recharged via a power supply 428 that is connected to the dockingunit 422. Other camera features, including the control system, aresimilar to those earlier described. For example, the camera producesdigital images that are stored on a removable memory card 54 a. Thecamera includes a zoom lens 76 having zoom and focus drivers 78,88 andan adjustable aperture and shutter (not shown in FIG. 50). The zoom lens76 focuses light from the scene on an imager 24 such as a single chipcolor CCD image sensor using the well-known Bayer color filter pattern.The image sensor 24 is controlled by clock drivers 100. The zoom andfocus and clock drivers 78,88,100 are controlled by control signalssupplied by a controller 81. The controller 81 also receives inputs fromautofocus and autoexposure detectors 126,82 and controls a flash unit115. The analog image signal from the imager 24 is amplified andconverted to digital data by an ASP-A/D converter 104. The digital imagedata from the ASP-A/D 104 is stored in a DRAM buffer memory 54 b andsubsequently processed by the processor 106, which is controlled byfirmware stored in a firmware memory 54 c, using RAM memory 54 d.Electronic images transferred through the docking interface 420 anddocking unit 422 are printed by the computer 424 using a printer 430.

[0274] The camera can have other features not illustrated here. Forexample, the camera can be a hybrid allowing film or electronic captureof the archival image.

[0275] The invention has been described in detail with particularreference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will beunderstood that variations and modifications can be effected within thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A photography method comprising the steps of:capturing a scene as an archival image in a camera set to an initialcapture configuration; following said capturing, evaluating a pluralityof parameters of said scene; matching said parameters to one or more ofa plurality of suggested capture configurations to define a suggestionset; accepting user input designating one of said suggested captureconfigurations of said suggestion set as a selected captureconfiguration; and responsive to said accepting, setting said camera tosaid selected capture configuration.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising automatically setting said camera to said initial captureconfiguration prior to said capturing.
 3. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising indicating said selected capture configuration following saidresetting.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising recapturing saidscene in said selected capture configuration.
 5. The method of claim 4further comprising, following said recapturing, automatically settingsaid camera to another capture configuration, different than saidselected capture configuration.
 6. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising capturing an evaluation image concurrent with said capturingof said archival image and showing said evaluation image prior to saidaccepting.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said evaluating includesanalyzing said evaluation image.
 8. The method of claim 6 furthercomprising generating depictions of the effect of each of said suggestedcapture configurations and showing said depictions prior to saidaccepting.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein said depictions are modifiedcopies of said evaluation image.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein saidcamera has a taking lens system and said resetting includes changing afocal length of said taking lens system.
 11. The method of claim 1wherein said resetting includes changing at least one of aperture andshutter speed of a capture unit.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein saidevaluating said scene further comprises detecting, in said scene, aphotographic subject and a background.
 13. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid resetting further comprises presenting user instructions andmonitoring user compliance following said presenting.
 14. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said resetting further comprises presenting, stepwise, aseries of user instructions and monitoring user compliance with each ofsaid instructions.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said resettingfurther comprises blocking execution of noncompliant user inputs.
 16. Aphotography method comprising the steps of: setting an archival captureunit of a camera to an initial capture configuration; capturing a sceneas an archival image, with said archival capture unit; capturing anevaluation image concurrently with said capturing of said archivalimage; following said capturing, evaluating a plurality of parameters ofsaid scene; matching said parameters to one or more of a plurality ofsuggested capture configurations to define a suggestion set; copyingsaid evaluation image to provide a copy; modifying said copy inaccordance with one of said suggested capture configurations of saidsuggestion set to provide a suggestion image; and showing saidsuggestion image; selectively repeating said copying, modifying, andshowing steps for one or more others of said suggested captureconfigurations of said suggestion set; accepting user input designatingone of said suggested capture configurations of said suggestion set as aselected capture configuration, said selected capture configurationbeing different than said initial capture configuration; and followingsaid accepting, automatically resetting said camera to said selectedcapture configuration.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein saidevaluating includes analyzing said evaluation image.
 18. The method ofclaim 16 further comprising recapturing said scene in said selectedcapture configuration.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein said camerahas a taking lens system and said resetting includes changing a focallength of said taking lens system.
 20. The method of claim 16 whereinsaid resetting includes changing at least one of aperture and shutterspeed of a capture unit.
 21. The method of claim 16 wherein saidevaluating said scene further comprises detecting, in said scene, aphotographic subject and a background.
 22. The method of claim 16wherein said archival image is a latent image on photographic film. 23.A camera comprising: a body; an archival capture unit disposed in saidbody, said archival capture unit capturing a light image as an archivalimage, said archival capture unit having a capture control systemplaceable in a plurality of different configurations, said capturecontrol system altering said light image differently in each of saidconfigurations; an evaluator disposed in said body, said evaluatorassessing one or more parameters of said scene, after said capturing, toprovide an assessment; a look-up table matching said assessment to oneor more of a plurality of suggestions to define a suggestion set, saidsuggestions each being associated with a different one of saidconfigurations; a display operatively connected to said look-up table,said display showing said suggestions of said suggestion set; adesignator having a plurality of states, each said state beingassociated with one of said suggestions of said suggestion set, saiddesignator switching between said states and selectively actuating todesignate one of said suggestions of said suggestion set as a selectedsuggestion; and a drive unit operatively connected to said capturecontrol system and said designator, said drive unit placing said capturecontrol system in the respective said configuration associated with saidselected suggestion, responsive to said actuating.
 24. The camera ofclaim 23 further comprising an electronic imager disposed in said body,said imager capturing an original electronic image of said light imageconcurrent with said capturing of said archival image.
 25. The camera ofclaim 24 wherein said evaluator is operatively connected to saidelectronic imager and analyzes said original electronic image.
 26. Thecamera of claim 24 further comprising a controller operatively connectedto said electronic imager and said display, said controller combiningsaid suggestions and said original electronic image to provide combinedimages, and wherein said display shows said combined images.
 27. Thecamera of claim 23 further comprising a taking lens directing said lightimage to said archival capture unit, and wherein said taking lens hasdifferent focal lengths in at least two of said configurations.
 28. Thecamera of claim 23 wherein said archival image is a latent image onphotographic film.
 29. A camera comprising: a body; a capture systemdisposed in said body, said capture system having an archival captureunit capturing a light image as an archival image and an electroniccapture unit capturing said light image as an original electronic image,said capture system having a capture control system placeable in aplurality of different configurations, said capture control systemaltering said light image differently in each of said configurations;memory disposed in said body, said memory storing said originalelectronic image; an evaluator disposed in said body, said evaluatorassessing one or more parameters of said scene, after said capturing, toprovide an assessment; a look-up table matching said assessment to oneor more of a plurality of suggestions to define a suggestion set, saidsuggestions each being associated with a different one of saidconfigurations; a controller generating suggestion images that combinesaid original electronic image and respective said suggestions of saidsuggestion set; a display operatively connected to said look-up table,said display showing said suggestion images; a designator having aplurality of states, each said state being associated with one of saidsuggestion images and the respective said suggestion, said designatorswitching between said states and selectively actuating to designate oneof said suggestions as a selected suggestion; and a drive unitoperatively connected to said capture control system and saiddesignator, said drive unit placing said capture control system in therespective said configuration associated with said selected suggestion,responsive to said actuating.
 30. The camera of claim 29 wherein saidcombining is a modification of said original electronic image inaccordance with a respective one of said suggestions.
 31. The camera ofclaim 29 further comprising a taking lens directing said light image tosaid archival capture unit, and wherein said taking lens has differentfocal lengths in at least two of said configurations.
 32. The camera ofclaim 29 wherein said archival capture unit has different exposurevalues in at least two of said configurations.
 33. A camera comprising:a body; a capture system disposed in said body, said capture systemhaving an archival capture unit capturing a light image as an archivalimage and an electronic capture unit capturing said light image as anoriginal electronic image, said capture system having a capture controlsystem placeable in a plurality of different configurations, saidcapture control system altering said light image differently in each ofsaid configurations; memory disposed in said body, said memory storingsaid original electronic image; an evaluator disposed in said body, saidevaluator assessing one or more parameters of said scene, after saidcapturing, to provide an assessment; a look-up table matching saidassessment to one or more of a plurality of suggestions to define asuggestion set, said suggestions each being associated with a differentone of said configurations; a controller generating suggestion imagesthat combine said original electronic image and respective saidsuggestions of said suggestion set; a user interface including a displayoperatively connected to said look-up table, said display showing saidsuggestion images; and a designator having a plurality of states, eachsaid state being associated with one of said suggestion images and therespective said suggestion, said designator switching between saidstates and selectively actuating to designate one of said suggestions asa selected suggestion; wherein said controller monitors theconfiguration of said capture control system following said actuating ofsaid designator.
 34. The camera of claim 33 wherein said controllergenerates instructions responsive to said actuating of said designatorand displays said instructions on said user interface.
 35. The camera ofclaim 34 wherein said controller locks out at least part of said userinterface while said instructions are displayed.
 36. The camera of claim33 further comprising a drive unit operatively connected to said capturecontrol system and said designator, said drive unit placing said capturecontrol system in the respective said configuration associated with saidselected suggestion, responsive to said actuating.